Harding... rides EL MATADOR.Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer
NINE HORSES from the $200,000 to $180,000 claiming spread are down to contest today's Caymanas Park feature for the Grooms' Association Trophy, over the straight five course.
Leading lights are RESTLESS PEGASUS, the mount of leading jockey Trevor Simpson, Wednesday's scorer CLASSIC ACCOUNT, SALSA, WHITE WATER, EL MATADOR and STAR CREEK. These should ensure a highly competitive race.
The three-year-old gelding RESTLESS PEGASUS has the ability to take home this trophy, despite being worse drawn on the far rails.
Trained by Richie Todd, the son of Restless Thief chased home INSTRUMENTAL over the course in a sub minute time back in August and has the necessary pace to angle towards mid-track from early. With Simpson riding in such tremendous form, RESTLESS PEGASUS is not to be taken lightly.
EL MATADOR is another that is due every respect, despite having to carry top weight of 57.0kg. The 5-y-o gelding from the stables of Michael Mattis has been running in better company all season, culminating in a narrow win from AKIODA and subsequent winner VISIONARY over the straight on a $290,000 tag September 27.
The five-year-old gelding advertised his well being on October 19 when finishing two lengths fifth (closing) to MY PAL DON over the straight course and now dropped in class, is not too high in the handicaps to resume winning ways, especially with a trophy at stake.
Also expected to run well are the lightly weighted pair of SALSA and STAR CREEK, both of whom advertised their well being behind PRINCESS TALIA in a round five race a week ago, as well as CLASSIC ACCOUNT who won easily over 1500 metres on Wednesday after missing the break. There is also WHITE WATER who, though racing for the first time since July 17, has lowered his sights for this and could make it close.
CLASSIC ACCOUNT, who won with 57.0kg on Wednesday, returns with a mere 50.0kg at the same level. The five-year-old gelding from the stables of Dennis Lee enjoys galloping over the straight and in present frame of mind, is confidently expected to fight out the finish.
Still, EL MATADOR is preferred by virtue of coming down this low in a bid for the trophy. He should win from CLASSIC ACCOUNT and RESTLESS PEGASUS. Trinidadian jockey Brian Harding has the ride.
Other firm fancies on the card are JUSTIFIED AWARD (little to beat) in the second race, PRODIGAL SON (ready for this) over SIR ROMEL in the 3rd, unbeaten 3-y-o DIM SUM (working exceptionally well) who returns from over a year's absence to romp the 5th, and TANGO DANCER (knocking at the door) to finally come good at the expense of DRAMATICS in the nightpan.
