By Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer 
Royal Run
CHAMPION TRAINER Wayne DaCosta and top jockey Trevor Simpson go for their first ever Red Stripe Superstakes success at Caymanas Park today with hot ante-post favourite ROYAL RUN, who was second to four-time winner MENUDO a year ago.
Significantly, the prestigious mile-and-quarter race marks its silver anniversary with a substantial purse increase and a new trophy.
The magnificent old trophy was retired last year by Richard Azan's MENUDO after winning it for a record fourth consecutive year.
Despite getting on in age, MENUDO is one of 10 starters vying for top honours and although facing his stiffest task in a long and distinguished career, the 7-y-o gelding by The Medic out of Making Peace is poised for a competitive effort with customary pilot Andrew Ramgeet flying in from his base at Mountaineer Park in the United States to partner him once again.
Meanwhile, the Superstakes purse has seen a substantial increase, moving from $3 million last year to $4 million. In addition, a fabulous silver plated trophy was unveiled by the sponsors, Red Stripe Limited, at the recent launch at HAM Stables to replace the old trophy which was donated in 1978.
That year, LEGAL LIGHT, with emerging champion jockey Winston Griffiths aboard, won for owner Jack Ashenheim and trainer Kenneth Mattis. Griffiths, who last won the Superstakes with THE VICEROY in 1990, rides the highly fancied HERECOMESFUDGIE for 13-time champion trainer Philip Feanny and if all goes well, it could be 1990 all over again.
HERECOMESFUDGIE will face stiff competition from ROYAL RUN, who has beaten him twice over the distance in the past three months, as well as the progressive three-year-old colt PITTACUS, the Guineas and Derby runner-up REAR ADMIRAL and, of course, MENUDO.
A notable absentee is this year's Guineas and Derby winner A KING IS BORN, who suffered a setback in his preparations (stone squeeze) and has been deemed lame.
Since closing fast into second a year ago, ROYAL RUN has not finished worse than second in 10 consecutive races, passing the post first on seven occasions.
However, the four-year-old bay gelding by Royal Minister out of Run Marisa Run was disqualified after passing the post a length and a half ahead of a lightly weighted HERECOMESFUDGIE in the valuable Prime Minister's Stakes over 2,000 metres on August 6 (Independence Day) but subsequently maintained his superiority over the Feanny-trained gelding when beating him by two lengths in the Governor General's Stakes over the distance on October 20.
ROYAL RUN
Indeed, ROYAL RUN has done everything asked of him and is a worthy favourite, as DaCosta's other runners, YOUNG FOR ALL and MEDIC ON BOARD, will be hard pressed to land a blow, even though YOUNG FOR ALL is here specifically for a purpose, that as pacemaker for ROYAL RUN.
What makes ROYAL RUN so appealing is the fact that he has good mid-race pace and also the capacity to quicken appreciably from the final bend. He has also moved exceptionally well at exercise, blazing 1:12.2 for six furlongs on November 2, and none will report fitter.
Of course, PITTACUS, to be ridden by in-form Shane Ellis for Barbadian owner Elias Haloute, should prove extremely dangerous as the three-year-old son of Pat N Jack out of Vicegerent has gone from strength to strength.
Since finishing third to A KING IS BORN under an indifferent ride in the June 14 Red Stripe Derby, PITTACUS has won three times, his performances culminating in an impressive fast time victory (1:31.4) over 1,500 metres on October 20. Having been taken to task at exercise since, PITTACUS, who will find the distance no obstacle, will only go down fighting.
He has good pace and a touch of class as well.
HERECOMESFUDGIE
HERECOMESFUDGIE, who was too early for his own good in the GG Stakes when going through at the half mile only to be collared by ROYAL RUN early in the straight, will be more effective if covered up for a stretch run a la his St. Leger performance.
MENUDO, as stated earlier, will be competitive but I doubt he still has the kick at seven to outgun his younger rivals from below the distance, while the Percy Hussey-trained REAR ADMIRAL seems well within himself at present and should find a place.
After taking all factors into consideration, I am not prepared to oppose ROYAL RUN, who has not only impressed at exercise but is as genuine and consistent as they come.
Other firm fancies on the card are the reigning 'Horse of the Year' I'MSATISFIED to repeat last year's win in the Red Stripe Caribbean Sprint, FORGOTTEN HERO to catch stable-companion LIL' COUNTRY BOY in the Red Stripe Mile, LATONIA to outclass PERFECT TEN in the Red Stripe 2-Y-O Breeders' Stakes and last year's winner ZULU PRINCESS to repeat in the WITRA Distaff, as well as QUEEN'S PAL, GANADOR and REAL RISK in other races.
