By Orville Clarke, Freelance WriterTHE SEASON'S first two-year-old race, the Starters' Trophy over 400 metres straight, is one of two trophy races at Caymanas Park today.
Co-feature on the 11-race programme is the 3-y-o and upgraded stakes for the Bonnie Blue Flag Trophy over the circular nine course. This has attracted five starters, including last year's winner SIR MOHANDAS BABA along with hat-trick seeker MILLIMETRE, fresh from back-to-back wins in the Legal Light Trophy over the distance on April 5 and Lady Geeta Trophy over 1200 metres last Saturday.
Indications are that many-time champion trainer Philip Feanny will provide the winner of both races in SARAH'S GIRL and MILLIMETRE.
SARAH'S GIRL is one of seven youngsters declared in the Starters' Trophy and judging from the way she has carried herself at exercise, should not only start favourite but justify the support as well.
Purchased for $400,000 in last November's Thoroughbred Yearling Sale, SARAH'S GIRL, a chestnut filly by Royal Minister out of Silken Miss, has looked the most forward in her preparation and should set off in front and make every yard of the running with former champion Wesley Henry in the saddle.
On Wednesday morning, SARAH'S GIRL galloped two furlongs in 23.4 easily and with her preparation complete, should prove too strong for the well thought of PRIME PRINCESS, one of four youngsters from the stables of trainer Richard Azan. The Prime Rate Powers - Traditional filly has looked fairly advanced in her preparation and along with stable-companion IRISH CREAM, should provide worthwhile opposition for SARAH'S GIRL.
Meanwhile, MILLIMETRE heads the five-strong field in quest of the Bonnie Blue Flag Trophy and although favoured to complete the hat-trick, should not have things his own way as NEFTENGA and SIR MOHANDAS BABA will be coming to run.
Despite having to shoulder topweight of 57.0 kg, MILLIMETRE's class should see him through, but in the Azan-trained NEFTENGA lurks a most dangerous opponent.
When both met in the Legal Light Trophy over this trip on April 5, MILLIMETRE lasted home by half a length from the fast-finishing NEFTENGA. It was the general belief that with better assistance from the saddle, NEFTENGA would have made it that day.
With ace lightweight jockey Robert Reid replacing apprentice Andrew Nunes aboard NEFTENGA, the evergreen 8-y-o gelding could well turn the tables. But with the Feanny-trained front runner ECSTATIC sure to set a strong pace for most of the way, the horse who gets first run should win in my book.
MILLIMETRE, with leading all-time jockey Winston Griffiths in the saddle, clearly has the pace to chase the grey ECSTATIC from early and if able to go through from the final bend, should stave off NEFTENGA and SIR MOHANDAS BABA who seems on the rebound.
Other firm fancies on the card are the Feanny-trained HERECOMESFUDGIE in the first race, PRODIGAL SON in the 3rd, KING AL in the 7th, ROYAL FLIGHT over MY PAL DON in the 8th and MEDIATOR over POLISH STAR and CARDINAL LAW in the nightpan.
