Leading all-time jockey Winston Griffiths is down to ride RUN PAPA RUN for the Royal Dad Trophy.
-File
Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer
THREE SUPERSTAKES contenders face the starter in today's Caymanas Park feature for the Royal Dad Trophy, a Restricted Stakes over 2000 metres for native bred three-year-olds.
Also on the well-supported 11-race programme is the $390,000-$370,000 claiming race for the J.W. 'Judge' Hardie Memorial Cup to be contested by seven starters, including old rivals GILNOCK and REJECT who finished second and third respectively to BROTHER DANIEL in a recent 1500-metre race.
GILNOCK, with champion jockey Trevor Simpson again in the saddle, finished extremely fast that day, just failing to catch BROTHER DANIEL, and given the additional 100 metres of this race, should make no mistake.
For the Royal Dad Trophy, the Superstakes contenders are RUN PAPA RUN, STEROFABULOUS and GOOD TO GO, all fit and rearing to go. Add to the mix the free-running CHOSEN ONE under in-form lightweight jockey Wesley Henry and we have a good race on our hands.
INTRIGUING CONTEST AHEAD
Looking at the weights, it promises to be an intriguing
contest, especially with champion jockey Simpson bypassing his Governor's Cup and St. Leger winning ride RUN PAPA RUN in favour of the Philip Feanny-trained STEROFABULOUS, a horse he won aboard back in March.
The Dennis Lee-trained RUN PAPA RUN is down to be ridden by leading all-time jockey Winston Griffiths, while former champion Shane Ellis has the leg over the Kevin Mattis-trained GOOD TO GO once again.
All three figured prominently in the classics GOOD TO GO chasing home DISTINCTLY IRISH in the Track Price 2000 Guineas and RUN PAPA RUN in the Lotto Classic for the Governor's Cup; STEROFABULOUS finishing second in the Derby and RUN PAPA RUN denying DISTINCTLY IRISH Triple Crown glory in the July 3 St. Leger over 2000 metres.
On past performances it would be fair to say that RUN PAPA RUN has come on the best of the three since mid-year. This can be borne out by his bold front-running display in the St. Leger when, running on lasix for the first time, he outbattled DISTINCTLY IRISH to win by a neck with STEROFABULOUS a well beaten third.
Since then, RUN PAPA RUN blotted his copybook in Open Allowance company on August 25 when beaten into seventh place by GOOD COMPANY in the Nigel B. Nunes Memorial Trophy over the circular nine course. On that occasion, he disputed the lead with the fleet-footed American filly ZAMA and although marginally in front approaching the half mile, soon gave way to PITTACUS and GOOD COMPANY.
CONTENDERS
Back in action extensively prepared for today's encounter, RUN PAPA RUN is tipped to make amends. The son of Footloose-Run and Marisa Run will have the free running CHOSEN ONE to contend with on the lead, but I am expecting him to go through leaving the half mile and stave off his old rivals in the closing stages.
A fit RUN PAPA RUN should be able to successfully allow STEROFABULOUS 1kg. He should also be good enough to hold the very dangerous GOOD TO GO at bay, in much the same way he did in the May 15 Governor's Cup.
Having won the St. Leger in the smart time of 2.07.3 with STEROFABULOUS 10 lengths away in third, RUN PAPA RUN has the class to put away this field and looks the right choice.
Other firm fancies on the card are ABOVE THE LAW to catch MICHAEL POWER in the first race for maiden three-year-olds, MISS CHURCHILL to upstage NUMERO UNO in the second, recent winner GALAXY GIRL to repeat in the third, TROPICAL DREAMER in the sixth, JADE RUNNER to resume winning ways in the eighth and Simpson's mount SILVER WEDDING over EXOTIC GIFT, RUDE BOY and RAJMIR in the 11th.
