TREVOR SIMPSON... rides Good Company
Orville Clarke
, Freelance Writer
SUPER FIT American filly HEDIA'S PROSPECT and the native 4-y-o gelding GOOD COMPANY should have a battle royal for top honours in today's Overnight Allowance feature for the Frankie Frazer Memorial Cup at Caymanas Park.
Eight starters have been declared and indications are that the recent winner HEDIA'S PROSPECT, the mount of four-time champion Charles Hussey, and GOOD COMPANY, under champion jockey Trevor Simpson, will carry the bulk of the betting. There should be fair support for CAPTAIN BLIGH and ZAHBO, but these two will more than likely have to settle for minor placings as they appear to be held by the two principals.
The Percy Hussey-trained HEDIA'S PROSPECT had ZAHBO behind in fourth when scoring narrowly from PRIME FURY over the straight five course in overnight company on May 24 and lost no marks in defeat last Saturday when chasing home smart importee INTERNET COMMANDER in a fast run (1:11.3) 1200-metre race for the Hall of Fame Trophy when stepping up to Open Allowance company.
Today, HEDIA'S PROSPECT is actually down in class with top weight. The American bred four-year-old filly will not be deterred by the weight and in present frame of mind is confidently expected to fight out the finish. She continues to work well and will also find the distance ideal.
GOOD PACE
HEDIA'S PROSPECT has good pace and is expected to get that critical first run on main rival GOOD COMPANY into the straight. However, the Wayne DaCosta-trained GOOD COMPANY has work so impressively at exercise in preparation for this trophy (galloped 5 1/2F in 1:07.0 on May 31) that I am expecting him to mow down HEDIA'S PROSPECT in deep stretch.
True, he has scored only once from eight starts this season, but despite this has been a model of consistency. When last venturing over this trip on March 24, GOOD COMPANY was beaten into second place by COURT CASE after missing the break. It is significant to note that his only victory was recorded over this trip on January 3 when scoring by 3 1/2 lengths from CAPTAIN BLIGH in the smart time of 1:18.2.
It definitely looks a straight fight in my book. However, GOOD COMPANY with Simpson again in the saddle, gets the nod over HEDIA'S PROSPECT.
Elsewhere on the programme, COLTRANE, who ran encouragingly on his recent 2-y-o debut, should make no mistake when he reports for the opening 2-y-o maiden special over 600 metres straight, to be contested by six youngsters. The bay colt from the stables of Richard Azan got it wrong at the start when finishing three lengths third to MONEYMAKER over a similar trip on May 22 and having pleased at exercise, should win from GLORIOUS ONE.
I also like the Amercian-bred colt ZAMA, following her good second to U.S. ONE, to easily dispose of her five opponents in the third race over 1300 metres, as well as ABILITY GIRL to lead home HI-JOE in the fifth, SIR CHACHA BABA in the eighth and FRENCH MINISTER to upstage down in class and HAHOGANY in the 10th race over 1200 metres.
All the races from New York's Belmont Park will be carried live (simulcast) by CTL for betting purposes.
