By Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer
DISQUALIFIED: The 13-1 outsider LUCKI PLUCKI (centre) is driven out by the apprentice Andrew Nunes to hold highly fancied QUEEN HILL (Kenyatta Davis) at bay by a neck in the closing race over 1800 metres at Caymanas Park last Saturday. However, LUCKI PLUCKI was disqualified for causing interference to 3-1 chance QUEEN HILL throughout the last furlong and their positions reversed by the Stewards. - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer
THE MARK Twain Trophy for native and imported three-year-olds is today's feature at Caymanas Park, the 1600-metre race attracting eight starters.
Among the starters is the unbeaten three-year-old gelding THE ADMIRAL, now bidding for the hat-trick.
Fresh from his fast time all the way victory over 1200 metres in the Magnum Sprint Trophy on August 23, THE ADMIRAL faces his sternest task yet, but clearly has the class to extend his streak and will not go down easily even with the trip extended.
Trained and part owned by Owen Sharpe, the chestnut gelding by Law Of The Sea out of Radiance led home SHE'S A RANKING by 3 1/2 lengths in the Magnum Sprint, covering the distance in the smart time of 1:12.2 behind splits 23.2, 46.3.
EASY VICTORY
With SHE'S A RANKING having paid tribute to the form with an easy victory over 1400 metres on September 6, clocking the good time of 1:25,4, this speaks volumes for the chances of THE ADMIRAL who returns on the convenient mark of 53.0kg.
THE ADMIRAL has not only impressed at exercise in preparation for this race, but on pedigree should have no problem staying a mile.
Still, while I expect him to go wire to wire, the Randolph Scott-trained SHE'S A RANKING should get closer at a mile, as she is improving all the time.
BANJUHAR, who closed rapidly to catch and beat SHE'S A RANKING close home in the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association Trophy over 1400 metres on August 2, has also caught the eye at exercise and should run well.
The late kicking bay gelding from the stables of Richard Azan finished a close third to A KING IS BORN over the distance in the Track Price Plus 2000 Guineas back in April and if running anywhere near to that form, BANJUHAR should prove a worthy opponent under former champion jockey Shane Ellis.
While BANJUHAR and SHE'S A RANKING could prove dangerous, THE ADMIRAL looks the type to follow until his colours have been lowered. Panamanian jockey Ameth Robles again has the ride.
Other firm fancies on the programme which commences at 1:00 p.m. are the impressive LIL' COUNTRY BOY to make it five in a row in the opening 1200-metre Open Allowance race where he has most to fear from in-form stable-companion ZULU PRINCESS.
LITTLE BABY BLUE (loves the straight) to win the second ahead of SIR VISHNU KUMAR, the well forward 2-y-o debutante MEMORY BANK in the third, MY DEAR TUDOR (ultra consistent) to stave off old rival DEBONAIR in the sixth, stretch running DR. R.S.F. (very fit) to catch the speedsters in the knotty round five sprint (7th race) and super fit SEEMELATER to stave off WARRIOR and FOREST FRESH in the eighth.
