By Orville Clarke, Freelance WriterOF THE three trophy races on today's 10-race programme at Caymanas Park, the 3-y-o and up graded stakes for the Reggae Trophy over the straight five course is tops.
Also on the card are the 3-y-o and up Overnight Allowance for the Lady Huggins Memorial Trophy over 1500 metres and the $120,000 - $105,000 claiming race for the Violet Armond Memorial Cup.
The Reggae Trophy 3-y-o and up Graded Stakes, with a purse of $625,000, has attracted seven starters including the reigning 'Horse of the Year' MENUDO, fresh from his record breaking fourth consecutive Superstakes win on November 9 and the vastly improved RAKKADASH, the joint track record for the distance.
Also expected to figure are METEOR MAN who romped home in the Red Stripe Mile for imported horses on November 9, stable companion GOINGTOKANSASCITY and NEFTENGA who finished fourth in the recent Red Stripe Caribbean Sprint.
Trainer Richard Azan has two notable contenders in MENUDO and NEFTENGA, both to be ridden by two of the new apprentices who start riding on a regular basis today following their graduation ceremony at the JRC last week Tuesday.
MENUDO, though the lightest he has ever been for years courtesy of the apprentice's 4kg claiming allowance, should find the trip too sharp and this is apparently a warm up for his Boxing Day assignment in the Harry Jackson Memorial Cup over 2400 metres.
NEFTENGA, on the other hand, is effective over the straight and given proper assistance from his inexperienced rider, will be a danger to all with a mere 49kg.
Wayne DaCosta's GOINGTOKANASCITY, who last Thursday was reinstated to first place following a successful appeal by the trainer against his disqualification on November 20, is fit as hands can make him and should prove competitive even from the dreaded number one post position. However, while expected to run well, he looks held by old rival RAKKADASH and DaCosta's main hopes must rest with METEOR MAN who has worked well in preparation for this trophy and will not be inconvenienced by the straight.
Despite his sound claims, RAKKADASH looks the right choice, having won four of his past five races including the G.A. "Sarge" Bucknor Memorial Cup on October 12 when equalling the straight five track record of 56.3, the Melvin "Babu" Chin Memorial Cup over 1200 metres on October 26 and the Pringle Cup over 1100 metres on November 16.
There was a lot to like about his Pringle Cup win, seeing that he was carried very wide by AWESOME MINISTER at the home turn yet recovered to win by 3 1/2 lengths from SELENA MYSTIQUE. Although up against genuine 'A1' horses today, RAKKADASH with outgoing champion jockey Charles Hussey aboard, can prove equal to the task in present frame of mind, but METOR MAN should ensure he is extended.
Other firm fancies on the card are BLACK THATCH (looks a cut above rivals) in the first race for the Lady Huggins Memorial Trophy, recent runaway winner STILL A KING (little to beat) over MANILA HEAT in the second, GLOBALSTAR (will have to be caught) to make all at the expense of RED BOOTLACES and DEJA VU in the third over the straight five course, recent winner NAVIGATOR (aimed too low) over BAY SAVAGE in the Violet Armond Memorial Cup, QUEEN HILL (pick of the weights) over FRANCESCA'S DREAM in the fifth, BROADWAY BELLE (knocking at the door) to catch HAPHAZARD in the seventh and ZIRCON (fit, gets ideal trip) over BLACK MAGIC WOMAN and LUCKI PLUCKI in the eighth.
