I'MSATISFIED
Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer
RECENT ABE Issa Memorial Cup winner I'MSATISFIED bids for his second consecutive win at Caymanas Park today when he renews rivalry with LIL' COUNTRY BOY and HERECOMESFUDGIE in the $775,000 Eros Trophy graded stakes feature over 1400 metres, to be contested by six starters.
I'MSATISFIED beat LIL' COUNTRY BOY and HERECOMESFUDGIE by two lengths over 1200 metres in the Abe Issa Memorial on February 21 and despite asked to go a furlong longer under customary topweight of 57.0kg, the 2002 'Horse of the Year' should not only start favourite, but prove hard to beat in a field of six.
As is usually the case in top class trophy races these days, leading trainers Wayne DaCosta and Philip Feanny are poised for another private duel as both account for all six runners in the field.
Feanny saddles as many as four, including the full brothers I'MSATISFIED and SATISFIER, along with HERECOMESFUDGIE, all sporting the silks of popular owner Joseph 'Fudgie' Duany.
DaCosta, meanwhile, will pin his hopes on the fleet-footed American colt LIL' COUNTRY BOY, who is almost sure to set off in front and will have to be caught, and to a lesser extent on the bang in form YOUNG FOR ALL who seeks his fourth consecutive win.
HARD PRESSED
Now pitted the best, YOUNG FOR ALL, though much improved, should be hard pressed to upstage the principals and indications are that it will come down to the Feanny pair of I'MSATISFIED and HERECOMESFUDGIE.
Both are better suited to the distance than LIL' COUNTRY BOY and I expect a Feanny quinela.
I'MSATISFIED actually finished ahead of 'FUDGIE' in their last two races, the more recent in the Abe Issa Memorial in decisive fashion.
Both renew rivalry on identical terms and while I expect it to be closer over the extended trip, I believe I'MSATISFIED is still too light with 57.0kg to lose under customary pilot, leading all-time jockey Winston Griffiths.
True, HERECOMESFUDGIE beat I'MSATISFIED by two lengths when they last met over the distance in the UBA Gold Cup last December. But 'Satisfied' is 4.0kg better off and in present frame of mind, he ought to be followed. He is ideally suited to the distance and his class should win the day.
Other firm fancies on the 12-race programme are the bold front runner MY PAL DON to stave off GILNOCK in the fifth race for the Tewfic Ziadie Memorial Cup over the circular nine course, RUN PAPA RUN in the 3rd, HERBALIST in the 4th, down in class BLITZKRIEG over LADY KAMPOOR in the 7th, JAMAICA QUEEN in the 8th and ROSY CAT to stave off SEEMELATER and LUCKI PLUCKI in the 10th.
