By Elton Tucker, Assistant Sport Editor
SOFTLY MY DEAR completing a double for veteran jockey Charles Hussey in a maiden special weight 1200m event at Caymanas Park last Saturday. The 3-y-o filly by Kamtarra - Royal Grind is owned by the jockey's mother Ruth Hussey and trained by his brother Percy Hussey. - Michael Sloley /Freelance Photographer
FREESTYLE to be ridden by record-breaking jockey Trevor Simpson is tomorrow's five-star banker for a very competitive-looking Racing Pools game.
The Star of Manila - Sister Harper five-year-old mare was caught by Miss Hollywood going 1300 metres on Boxing Day. She reverts to a trip (1000m straight) which will be much to her liking and she should show her 11 rivals a clean pair of heels in the third Pools race.
On her debut run last December 11 FREESTYLE trotted up over the straight, clocking 1.00.4 and beating one of today's rivals, MISS HIMO, by all of nine lengths.
The programme opens with a 1700m race for $100,000 claimers in which the winner should come from the one of CHATTANOOGA STAR and KATAN.
CHATTANOOGA STAR finished well down the track on New Year's Day going 1820m on a $105,000 tag but that performance can be excused as he was outsped on the headlines by the likes of Waredge and Forest Fresh. Now down a level CHATTANOOGA STAR has the pace to go in front and go all the way.
KATAN has, however, trained very well since finishing lame on December 14. The American-bred horse takes a significant drop in class and looks the one to be on with former champion jockey Wesley Henry aboard. KATAN was third of twelve behind out of class NAVIGATOR going 1600m on December 4 and a reproduction of that performance should be good enough to win here.
A 12-horse field will contest race two, section two of the $100,000 claiming event over 1700m. ARCO ARIS has the best form to recommend and ought to be followed. The six-year-old mare won easily at this level out of the 1800m chute on December 11.
She should have most to fear from EYEOFTHETIGER and THE WHITE WITCH. The former has been showing indifferent form for sometime but has been timely prepared to meet this event and with the scales decidedly in his favour will be right there. The late running THE WHITE WITCH loves a distance of ground and was not disgraced when finishing fourth by five lengths to JOCO BITE going 2000 metres last December 21.
HAPHAZARD who has been knocking at the door for the past month should finish in front for the first time in almost a year when he run in the fourth Pools race over 1500m.
Trained by Andrew Nunes HAPHAZARD was impressive while running on to snatch second place behind PREMIER SOLUTION going 1100m just over a week ago. He stepped up a level (non-winners of four) and ran very well to finish fourth to the SATISFIER. Now back among his peers HAPHAZARD should lead home BOMBS OVER BAGHDAD and RIVER JORDON.
The fifth Pools race is over 1000m straight for the $200,000-180,000. Thirteen will face the starter including the speedy CRUCIAL TIMES and my selection BUSHY PARK RAJA.
CRUCIAL TIMES was caught stealing home by BUSHY PARK RAJA going 1200 metres on Boxing Day. The margin of victory was officially a head but could have been much larger as the jockey aboard BUSHY PARK RAJA took his own sweet time to pass the lone-time leader.
The last time the two met over tomorrow's distance BUSHY PARK RAJA led all the way to clock a fast 58.3. The draw and the weights are firmly in the five-year-old gelding's favour and he only needs a good break to lead all the way. Apprentice Paul Parchment has the ride.
The last three races should be won by BADBOYBIN (note QUIET GIANT is ineligible and will not start), DR R S F and SHADE OF JADE. The respective dangers are ROYAL MALICE, HARLEY BARLEY and THE PURPLE SKY.
