By Orville Clarke, Freelance WriterTHE 2003 FIRST runner-up to the 'Horse of the Year', PITTACUS, will be gunning to atone for his recent defeat when he takes on eight opponents in the 3-y-o and up open allowance feature for Owen Silvera Memorial Cup over 1600 metres at Caymanas Park today.
Today's 10-race programme marks the first leg of the two-day holiday weekend racing carnival which continues on Monday with the Labour Day Trophy (claiming $390,000 - $360,000) being the feature.
Also on today's programme is the 4-y-o and up restricted allowance V (non winners of two) for the Joshua Morrison Memorial Cup over 1500 metres. Fifteen starters have been declared and from the look of things, it should come down to ASYNJUR, SIR CHACHA BABA, LOOK AT ME, LOGICS and MAMBO, the top contenders.
The Owen Silvera Memorial marks the second race of the season for last year's Superstakes winner PITTACUS, who was surprisingly beaten by his little fancied stable-companion THE MINISTER in the Ambassador's Trophy over 1700 metres when making his seasonal debut on April 17.
THIRD
PITTACUS, then installed a howling 2-5 favourite, could only manage third (beaten 10 lengths) with title chasing jockey Shane Ellis in the saddle. He was humbled by THE MINISTER and JOHNNY'S KING, both of whom renew rivalry today.
Indications were that PITTACUS needed that race. Today, he is going to prove a different kettle, despite the presence of the Philip Feanny-trained pair of MILLIMETRE and SATISFIER, not to mention METEOR MAN, all having some history of success at the top level, and of course PEACE & LOVE and THE MINISTER who has since won again.
While the abovementioned should ensure a competitive race, PITTACUS has carried himself so nicely at exercise in preparation for this trophy that he will prove hard to beat this time around.
Following his victory in the November 8 Red Stripe Superstakes, the classy 4-y-o gelding from the stables of Anthony 'Baba' Nunes failed by half a length to catch HERECOMESFUDGIE in the UBA Gold Cup over 1400 metres on December 13, his final race before the Ambassador's Trophy over a month ago.
EXERCISE
PITTACUS has really caught the eye with bullet works at exercise during the past fortnight, galloping seven furlongs in 1:26.4 and five furlongs in 59.2, the first four in 46.3 with Ellis aboard.
With his preparation complete and his class not in question, PITTACUS looks the right choice. I am expecting him to race in close touch of the leaders METEOR MAN and JOHNNY'S KING, before going through early in the straight. METEOR MAN, MILLIMETRE and SATISFIER should have a battle royal for second.
Other form fancies on the cTOGAGO in the 3rd, PROCEEDACCORDINGLY in the 5th, DRAMATICS in the 6th, TANGO DANCER over RESTLESS PEGASUS and STAR CREEK in the 8th and SIR CHACHA BABA to beat old rival ASYNJUR in the closing race for the Joshua Morrison Memorial Cup.
