Orville Clarke, Freelance WriterTEN HORSES from the $390,000 to $330,000 claiming spread are down to contest today's Caymanas Park feature for the Cecil C. Charlton Trophy over 1200 metres, a race which promises fierce competition every inch of the way.
With an abundance of good form present, the leading lights include the down in class trio of QUICK MEDIC, RESTLESS WARRIOR and BROTHER DANIEL, along with RED BOOTLACES, SHAHID and RUCKUS who won the Labour Day Trophy over the distance on May 24 when having SHAHID and TOCUMEN behind.
RUCKUS, who has finished unplaced in two subsequent races in overnight allowance company since claimed out of that race by trainer Dennis Lee, steps down to high claiming for a crack at this trophy and should not be under-estimated from his convenient mark of 51.0kg. The former Red Stripe Caribbean Sprint champion has been pretty active at exercise and is sure to run well with competent apprentice Howard Newell aboard.
FAIRLY STRONG HAND
Trainer Richard Donaldson holds a fairly strong hand with the pair of RESTLESS WARRIOR and SHAHID to be ridden by top jockeys Trevor Simpson and Shane Ellis, respectively.
On the strength of his close second (closing fast) over the distance to RUCKUS in the Labour Day Trophy, SHADID can definitely enter the reckoning, as it would appear he is best suited to this trip.
RESTLESS WARRIOR, on the other hand, makes a timely return to claiming company and a competitive effort seems imminent. True, he was never a factor behind JACK DE PRINCE in a fast run 1000-metre race on June 19, but had earlier chalked up three consecutive wins in claiming company between mid-March and May and coming back in good nick, this speedy 7-y-o gelding could well resume winning ways.
The Richie Todd-trained RED BOOTLACES, having won two of her last three races, could also complicate matters from her convenient mark of 50.0kg. If the leaders go too fast and come back just as fast in the closing stages, she should be right there at the finish. And down in class QUICK MEDIC has the ability to make it close with only 53.0kg.
Despite the competitive aspect, I think the one best equipped to pull it off is BROTHER DANIEL, a sparingly raced 5-y-o horse who is potentially better than claiming company.
Trained by Barrington Rambally, BROTHER DANIEL was not really disgraced when finishing seven lengths sixth to LIL' COUNTRY BOY in a fast run 1100-metre race on January 31. Prior to that on December 27 he was beaten only six lengths by RIVER JORDON over the straight five course, the winner clocking a smart 57.2.
Although reporting from a five-month absence, BROTHER DANIEL has had a long and steady preparation. The son of Al's River Cat Pleasant Company is ideally suited to the distance and back in action from the convenient mark of 51.0kg, thanks to apprentice Andron Findley's 3.0kg claiming allowance, he looks the one to beat.
He has the pace to race close up from early and the turn of foot to outrun the likes of RUCKUS, RESTLESS WARRIOR and SHAHID up the lane.
Other firm fancies on the card are reigning 'Horse of the Year' A KING IS BORN in the 11th race over the straight five course, PACKU to stave off FOREVER SUNSHINE in the 2nd, RAWHIDE KID (working well) to upstage LORD LOUIS (now on Lasix) in the 3rd, ANGELINA in the 7th and LADY DOC over old rivals BONNIEVIEW and FIRSTLADYOFTHECITY in the 10th race for maidens.
