IT'S holiday racing at Caymanas Park today, the nine-race programme featuring three trophy races including the principal feature for the Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Commission Trophy open allowance race over 1400 metres. Post time is 1:00 p.m.
Also on the card is the $390,000 - $330,000 claiming race for the Emancipation Day Trophy over 1300 metres and the second running of the Restricted Allowance V (non winners of two) for the Charles C. Randle Trophy over the circular nine course.
A field of nine open allowance horses is slated for the second running of the Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Commission Trophy and with most having good claims, it promises to be fiercely contested.
Among the starters are last year's winner FORGOTTEN HERO, the 2003 Superstakes winner PITTACUS, MILIMETRE, COURT CASE, FORMALLY GOLD, THE MINISTER and the recent RJR Classic winner ZAMA.
FORGOTTEN HERO, to again be ridden by last year's winning rider champion jockey Trevor Simpson, has had only one outing this season. The American bred 5-y-o horse could only manage fifth to stable-companion LIL'COUNTRY BOY in the Eileen Cligggot Trophy over 1300 metres on June 26, a race in which he finished 9-1/4 lengths fifth but lame.
Now down in class and prepared with a purpose, FORGOTTEN HERO, who last won the valuable Red Stripe Mile on November 8 last year, can rise to the occasion even in the face of stiff competition.
He has the pace to race close up and the turn of foot to pounce up the lane if the situation demands. What's more, he is not too high in the handicaps with 56.0kg to take home this trophy, having beaten better in the not too distant past.
Also expected to come in for much support is PITTACUS, despite failing to win from three starts this season. On winning the Superstakes last November, the 4-y-o gelding from the stables of Anthony Nunes stamped himself as one of the best horses in the country, but this season has failed to live up to his high reputation even though proving competitive in his first two races in April and May.
FIGHT TO FINISH
Having been taken to task at exercise in preparation for this trophy, PITTACUS (tongue tie removed) is now expected to fight out the finish with two-time champion Joe Buchanan aboard.
COURT CASE and the ageing MILLIMETRE, both down in class after finishing second and third respectively to 'Horse of the Year' A KING IS BORN in the fast run She's On Wheels Trophy over 1100 metres on July 24, are very fit at present and could enter the reckoning. And the up-in-class pair of ZAMA and FORMALLY GOLD, first and second respectively in the RJR Classic, are not only fit but improving and neither can be underestimated at this level, especially the Wayne DaCosta-trained imported filly FOR-MALLY GOLD, who carries a mere 46.0kg.
In a really tough race, FORGOTTEN HERO to win from FORMALLY GOLD and PITTACUS is my idea of the outcome.
HARD TO BEAT
Meanwhile, BROTHER DANIEL, recent winner of the Harry Rigg Memorial Cup race over 1400 metres, will prove hard to beat in the Emancipation Day Trophy over 1300 metres, despite the presence of last year's winner DR. R.S.F. and free running filly PRIME FURY, who will get the distance.
MAMBO, with Trevor Simpson aboard, looks the obvious choice in the Charles C. Randle Trophy race to be contested by six moderate starters. If the 4-y-o son of Royal Minister is beaten, look no further than MOONLIGHT DANCER (re-gaining form) with Shane Ellis astride.
Other firm fancies on the card are THE REAL KING (working well) over RISTO-CAT in the second race, DIGITAL to go one better in the sixth and ZEALOT to upstage ONE SON and SOPHISTICATED LADY in the closing race for $140,000 claimers.
