By Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer
GILNOCK (Oneil Mullings) returning to the winners' enclosure after his easy victory in the second race over the circular nine course at Caymanas Park last Saturday. - Michael Sloley /Freelance Photographer
THE SEASON'S first scheduled mid-week race meet gets under way at Caymanas Park today with an eight-race programme featuring the $200,000-$180,000 claiming for the Altamont V. Armond Memorial Cup over 2000 metres. Post time is 2:00 p.m.
With nine declared to face the starter, finding the winner could provide even the most astute punter with a king-sized headache, as no fewer than six of the runners have good claims.
Those that come readily to mind over this trip are NAVIGATOR, SEAMASTER, SIR ABBAS MANGAL, CHAMBA KOO, RAJMIR and MAHENDRA EXPRESS.
The Norman Palmer-trained MAHENDRA EXPRESS failed in his bid for the hat-trick on January 18 when finishing 4 3/4 lengths fourth to JIG YOUNG over 1600 metres. Before that the eight-year-old son of Gentleman Jinsky beat JIG YOUNG and RAJMIR over 1700 metres on December 20, a race in which he not only had RAJMIR in arrears, but NAVIGATOR (eighth) and CIRCLE DE THRONE (ninth) as well.
MAHENDRA EXPRESS returns on the convenient mark of 49kg and with his fitness not in doubt, can definitely resume winning ways in a race of this nature.
Another in with a real chance is SIR ABBAS MANGAL, who had MAHENDRA EXPRESS just behind when a fast-finishing third to JIG YOUNG over a mile on January 18. And last Friday, he further underlined his well-being when chasing home the fleet-footed CRUCIAL TIMES over 1200 metres, a distance short of his best.
Back over a distance of ground, SIR ABBAS MANGAL with in-form Clive Lynch aboard cannot be taken lightly. Other horses expected to close strongly from behind are SEAMASATER, CHAMBA KOO and RAJMIR.
CHAMBA KOO beat a good field over the circular nine course on a $200,000 tag when last raced on November 20 and coming back pretty light with 46.5kg, this late kicking 4-y-o filly from the stables of Garrett Arscott cannot be under-estimated.
In a really tough race, the one best equipped to take home this trophy is the consistent 8-y-o gelding RAJMIR to be ridden by top apprentice Paul Francis.
Trained by Rowan Mathie, the Try Some-Nina offspring was not disgraced in a tougher spot ($230,000 claiming) on January 18 when finishing 12 lengths fourth to BISTRO over the circular nine course, a race in which he was too early for his own good.
Before that, RAJMIR, contesting a $200,000 tag, finished a fair third to MAHENDRA EXPRESS at 1700 metres, but he is obviously more focussed for this (working well) trophy race and his final rattle can definitely do the trick from the convenient mark of 51kg.
Other firm fancies on the card are consistent TIME AND AGAIN (loves distance) to catch QUEEN HILL in the third, LADY KUMARI (best over the straight) to make all in the fourth, GOINGTOKANSASCITY to do likewise in the fifth and SERENADING ROOSTER (ran too encouragingly last time out) to catch CHAMPAGNE CREW and BELLY DANCER in the closing $100,000 claimer.
