Orville Clarke, Freelance WriterTHE FOURTH running of the RJR Classic (overnight allowance) over 1500 metres highlights today's well supported Caymanas Park 11-race programme which commences at noon.
With the RJR Communications Group going that extra mile to promote its annual corporate race day, all the remaining races on the card offer trophies named after RJR related products and affiliates. These include the 2-y-o maiden special for the Lester Spaulding Gold Cup over 1100 metres, the Radio 2 Sprint Trophy (claiming) over the straight five course, the Fabulous Fame Trophy over 1500 metres and the TVJ Challenge Trophy over the straight five course.
The RJR Group will host clients and guests under the tent on the infield where the annual golden microphone awards will be held.
Ten starters have been declared for the RJR Classic, including last year's winner CAPTAIN BLIGH to be ridden by leading all-time jockey Winston Griffiths for in-form trainer Anthony "Baba" Nunes.
CAPTAIN BLIGH can expect stiff opposition from the lightly raced but talented American 3-y-o colt FORGOTTEN HERO as well as the free-running PHAREAL, YOUNG FOR ALL and, of course, PROMINENT who won the Star Trophy over the circular nine course back in March.
While I expect the trio of PROMINENT, PHAREAL and YOUNG FOR ALL to give a good account of themselves, I believe the race will come down to a straight fight between CAPTAIN BLIGH and the Wayne DaCosta-trained FORGOTTEN HERO with champion jockey Trevor Simpson aboard.
Both, I believe, are a cut above overnight company - CAPTAIN BLIGH having won three races at this level in the space of a year and FORGOTTEN HERO looking the part when putting away LADY HYDERABAD and company under top weight of 57 when last raced on May 17 over 1200 metres.
CAPTAIN BLIGH is as genuine and consistent as they come. There was a lot to like about the manner in which he outbattled ZULU PRINCESS in a driving finish in the Frankie Frazer Memorial Cup over 1300 metres on June 28. And ZULU PRINCESS paid tribute to the form with a good win over 1200 metres in open allowance company on Wednesday.
This speaks volumes for the chances of CAPTAIN BLIGH who prior to his last win, finished second to LIL' COUNTRY BOY, AWESOME MINISTER, BLACK THATCH and ROYAL RUN in four separate races.
The four-year-old son of Schism-Hnauska has enough pace to race in touch of the leaders and more importantly, the necessary kick in mid-stretch to deny them if the situation demands.
For a horse who has won three overnight allowance races, CAPTAIN BLIGH looks nicely in with 54kg and is back with a grand chance of winning this race for the second consecutive year.
FORGOTTEN HERO, on the other hand, looks a top-class campaigner in the making and having scorched the track at exercise with two hair-raising exercise gallops in 59.2 and 59.4 on the round five course (the most recent last Sunday morning) he will not go down easily.
Although facing his sternest test to date, FORGOTTEN HERO can surely prove equal to the task even with top weight of 57kg.
While I rate his chances highly, preference is for the more experienced CAPTAIN BLIGH who will prove hard to withstand over this trip. The DaCosta-trained YOUNG FOR ALL and PROMINENT should complete the superfecta.
Other firm fancies on the card are GUNG TONG WAH to romp home in the first race, ZAHBO in the third, the highly thought of debutant ZICKWARTY in the fifth, NAVIGATOR in the eighth and TO BE CONTINUED in the ninth.
