THE 3-Y-O and up claiming ($390,000 - $330,000) for the Labour Day Trophy is the principal feature on Monday's mammoth 13-race holiday programme at Caymanas Park.
The 1200-metre race has attracted 10 starters including the recent winners DR. RSF and RUCKUS. In addition to this pair, others expected to prove competitive are TOCUMEN, FROMAJACKTOAKING and ABUELO.
Completing the field are SHAHID, SQUARE GARDEN, ISSEY MIKAYE, CHAMPION MELODY and the imported SEA LAD.
DR. RSF has the best form to recommend, having won his past two races with considerable ease, the more recent over 1400 metres last Saturday when conditioned by owner/trainer Dennis Lee.
Significantly, DR.RSF reports under new management for this race, having been claimed by owner/trainer Lazel Kwalsingh for $300,000 last Saturday.
Although returning in a tougher spot, DR. RSF is so fit at present that he could well extend his winning streak from the convenient mark of 50.kg and the apprentice Garfield Morgan aboard.
GOOD TIME
It should be recalled that DR. RSF won in the good time of 1:26.0 which compares favourably with the 1:28.1 returned by in-form RESTLESS WARRIOR over the same distance on May 8 when having SQUARE GARDEN, FROMAJACKTOAKING and CHAMPION MELODY behind.
RUCKUS and TOCUMEN, both winners in recent months, are dangerous contenders in a race of this nature. RUCKUS beat a good field over the round five course on April 24 and followed up with a good second to FLYING TIGER over the straight five course in open allowance company.
Trainer Richie Todd has the eight-year-old son of Exotic Traveller Sweet Ruckus in peak of form at present and with the distance just perfect, can definitely resume winning ways. He will be ridden by the improving 3.0kg claiming apprentice Howard Newell from the convenient mark of 51.0kg.
The Noel Ennevor-trained TOCUMEN has already won twice this season, the most recent on March 24 over 1100 metres when having an overburdened RUCKUS two lengths behind in third. Last time out on May 8, the 5-y-o son of Domino Jack was blown away by the classy imported filly INTERNET COMMANDER in a fast-run (1:12.1) 1200-metre race, finishing 12 lengths fifth after showing up prominently in the backstretch.
Prior to that he finished 4 1/2 lengths third to INTERNET COMMANDER over the round five course on April 24 and all in all should command a lot of respect from his lenient mark of 51.0kg and Larris Allen aboard.
RUCKUS, it would appear, has the best credentials, especially after catching the eye at exercise in a fluent workout on Thursday morning. He is suited by both distance and handicdaps and should wear down DR. RSF, ISSEY MIKAKE and TOCUMEN down the stretch for a decisive victory.
- Orville Clarke
