Orville Clarke, Freelance WriterTHE ANNUAL renewal of the 3-y-o and up overnight allowance race for the Jamaica Racehorse Owners' Association Trophy over 2000 metres is one of four races offering silverware at Caymanas Park today.
The others are the 3-y-o and up restricted allowance II (non winners of two) for the Dr. Ralston Feanny Memorial Trophy over 1100 metres, the 2-y-o maiden special for the Lester Saunders Memorial Trophy over 1400 metres and race No.3 in the CTL Claiming series over the straight five course.
Only six have been declared for the Owners' Association Trophy but despite the small field, the race should provide an interesting contest among the quartet of PEACE & LOVE, STEROFABULOUS, WARREN B and SIR ROMEL, who is obviously regaining form.
After a string of dismal runs, SIR ROMEL turned in a vastly improved performance on August 25 when finishing 5-1/4 lengths fifth (running on) to GOOD COMPANY and THE MINISTER in the Nigel B. Nunes Memorial Cup over the circular nine course.
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That run actually came in open allowance company and with less to do in this group, SIR ROMEL cannot be underestimated over what is the ideal trip for him. The 5-y-o horse from the stables of Lloyd 'Bigga' Gordon has been looking up at exercise since and should pose a threat from the convenient mark of 53.0kg.
While SIR ROMEL could figure seriously, on the surface the race will more than likely come down to a straight fight between the three-year-old colt STEROFABULOUS and the experienced six-year-old gelding PEACE & LOVE, who as a three-year-old in 2001 won the Governor's Cup over today's trip.
Both have caught the eye at exercise in preparation for this trophy and it should be close between them.
The Philip Feanny-trained STEROFABULOUS (Larris Allen up) finished second to DISTINCTLY IRISH in the Derby and was third to RUN PAPA RUN in the St. Leger and thus represents classic form.
He underlined his well-being on August 21 when scoring quite easily over the circular nine course in the fairly good time of 1:57.2.
Since then he has looked an improved animal at exercise and despite the sound claims of the now focused PEACE & LOVE, to be ridden by four-time champion Charles Hussey for his brother Percy, STEROFABULOUS looks a better proposition over this trip.
I also like KELHOMBRE to catch SYMBOL OF HOPE in the Lester Saunders Memorial Trophy to be contested by seven starters, MINISTEROFFINANCE over TUSCAN SUN and EASTERN LIGHT in the Dr. Ralston Feanny Memorial Cup, HEAVENLY DREAMS in the CTL Claiming race and CLASSY TANYA over SIR GOBIN MUNILAL in the closing race over 1200 metres.
