Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer
THE 2-Y-O maiden special for the Andrew H.B. Aguilar Memorial Cup over one mile and the $140,000 claiming race for the Eggie Sutherland Memorial Cup over 2000 metres are co-features on today's Caymanas Park 10-race programme which commences at 12:30 p.m.
Six youngsters have been declared for the Andrew H.B. Aguilar Memorial and this should provide keen competition among DRAW CARD, WIMBLEDON and EX-PLOSIVE FLAME, the trio from which I expect the winner to emerge.
WIMBLEDON, owned and trained by Richard Azan, was installed an even-money favourite on his debut over 1400 metres on November 29, but could only manage third to runaway winner HENREITTA MARIA and her unfancied stable-companion EXPLOSIVE FLAME who got up in time to pip him by a nose for second.
Indeed, there is not much to choose between WIMBLEDON and the Barry Dawes-trained EXPLOSIVE FLAME who was slowly into stride on the last occasion. Of the two, I prefer WIMBLEDON who will have gained from the experience and strikes me as the better of the two. What's more, WIMBLEDON renews the rivalry on 2kg better terms.
SMALL FIELD
While both are expected to be highly competitive in this small field, the one best equipped to pull it off must be the Randolph Scott-trained DRAW CARD, who beat all barring the useful IRISH CREAM over 1500 metres on November 22.
Although stumbling at the start, DRAW CARD recovered nicely to chase IRISH CREAM at close range passing the half mile and although beaten five lengths in the fairly good time of 1:34.2, was clear of the third horse, SIR GEE, in a field of seven.
Having been kept on the move at exercise, DRAW CARD has a glorious opportunity to get off the mark in this sub-standard lineup. With a mile right up his street, he should make no mistake with bustling Clive Lynch in the saddle. I am expecting DRAW CARD to track the expected leader SEGA in the backstretch before taking command from early in the straight and outrun WIMBLEDON to the line.
I also like the Patrick Fong-trained SUMO to outstay old rival UN-WANTED and LONE SNIPER in the Eggie Sutherland Memorial Cup to be contested by 10 starters.
The four-year-old gelding by Royal Minister out of Terminator ran on strongly with apprentice Howard Newell (his first winner) to win the inaugural running of the Monica Todd Memorial Cup over the distance at the expense of FOREST FRESH on October 8, a race in which the highly fancied UN-WANTED could only manage fourth, beaten 11 lengths.
TURNED THE TABLES
True, UNWANTED has since turned the tables when both lost to WARRIOR over 1800 metres on November 12, but SUMO is always dangerous going two turns and once leaving the gates promptly, his final rattle will prove hard to withstand from the convenient mark of 51kg. He should win from UNWANTED, LONE SNIPER and SIR SASTRI BAHADUR. Newell again has the ride.
Other firm fancies on the card are the distance specialist THAT'S MY NUMBER to stave off SEA LAD in the first race over 1300 metres, in-form PATAS DE FUEGO to complete the hat-trick at the expense of VOICE MAIL in the second, SIR MOHANDAS BABA who finished only seven lengths adrift of PITTACUS in the November 8 Red Stripe Superstakes to outstay HAP-HAZARD in the seventh and ROYAL FIESTA to beat BLUE DEBBIE and RESTLESS RUFFLE in the eighth.
