By Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer 
Hussey... rides Formally Gold. - File
TODAY's 10-RACE programme at Caymanas Park is without a trophy race, hence the 3-y-o and up overnight allowance over 1,700 metres takes the spotlight as the most valuable race on the card.
Ten starters have been declared, among them the improving American three-year-old filly FORMALLY GOLD who is coming off a smooth victory at 1,500 metres on March 6.
FORMALLY GOLD led home stable-companion BLACK THATCH by two lengths with THE MINISTER closing fast into third and long-time leader JOHNNY'S KING fading into fourth, 3 1/2 lengths away.
All renew rivalry on improved terms with FORMALLY GOLD and at the weights, out BLACK THATCH and THE MINISTER are expected to prove more
dangerous in the closing rush.
On paper, the race is not necessarily confined to the above-mentioned quartet as HAPHAZARD (consistent) and the imported 3-y-o colt CAPTAIN BONE are capable of figuring prominently in a race of this nature.
Champion trainer Wayne DaCosta holds a strong hand with FORMALLY GOLD and the five-year-old mare BLACK THATCH. The latter enjoys a 3kg swing with FORMALLY GOLD and with champion jockey Trevor Simpson replacing the apprentice Dane Nelson on this occasion, BLACK THATCH (fitter) will only go down fighting.
SHANE ELLIS
THE MINISTER finished only half a length adrift of BLACK THATCH in that race and given the additional furlong, will have many supporters from his convenient mark of 51.5kg and leading jockey Shane Ellis in the saddle.
The improving apprentice Howard Newell is down to ride CAPTAIN BONE whose last running under top weight of 57kg behind his unbeaten stable-companion DISTINCTLY IRISH over 1,300 metres last Saturday can safely be ignored.
CAPTAIN BONE, who beat subsequent winner PALO SECO by five lengths over 1200 metres on February 25, looks the type that will be at home over today's trip and is not to be taken lightly with only 53kg.
The race should definitely come down to the quartet of FORMALLY GOLD, BLACK THATCH, THE MINISTER and CAPTAIN BONE.
The one I like best is FORMALLY GOLD, who won with a bit in hand ahead of BLACK THATCH and THE MINISTER. The bay filly by Formal Gold out of Always East has tremendous scope and I am expecting her to defy top weight with four-time champion Charles Hussey again at the helm.
Working well as usual, FORMALLY GOLD should race in close touch of the expected leaders JOHNNY'S KING and BLACK THATCH before coming through early in the straight for a decisive win.
FIRM FANCIES
Other firm fancies on the card are CHUCKY to lead home SOPHISTICATED LADY in the fourth race over the straight, the imported 3-y-o colt FUTZ ahead of ZAMA in the fifth also over the straight, RESTLESS WARRIOR (Lasix administered) to stave off TIGERINTHEWOODS in the seventh, ZACKATTACK to catch MR. MIDDLETON and FREAK RAIN in the eighth, and ZEALOT to stave off PLEASANT WOOD, DIANA'S HOPE and RAINBOW CHASER in the 10th and final, this for $140,000 claimers over the straight course.
