Shane Ellis... rides Numero Uno. -File photo
Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer
ANOTHER MID-WEEK meet is on at Caymanas Park today, the well supported 10-race programme featuring two trophy races - the 2-y-o maiden special for the Andrew H.B. Aguilar Memorial Cup over 1600 metres and the $140,000 claiming race for the Charlie James Memorial Cup over 1100 metres.
In the Andrew H.B. Aguilar Memorial, 11 youngsters have been declared and indications are it will come down to a four-cornered tussle among COSMIC JUSTICE, the mount of champion jockey Trevor Simpson, NUMERO UNO with former champion Shane Ellis, STATE PRINCE under in-form apprentice Howard Newell and HIGH GRADE with Richie Mitchell astride.
Although beaten 17 lengths seventh by the impressive COLTRANE in the November 11 Red Stripe 2-Y-O Breeders Stakes over 1400 metres, HIGH GRADE had no chance in that race. Prior to that, however, the son of Royal Minister - Shaneisha was not disgraced in finishing 6 1/4 lengths sixth to CIRCLE DROME over 1200 metres on October 30 and 6 1/4 fifth (staying on) to the useful JACK BE GOOD and JACK SPARROW over same on October 9.
The grey colt from the stables of Patrick Fong looks comfortable in present company, has worked fairly well and with a mile right up his street, cannot be left out of calculations.
FAILED TO IMPRESS
The Wayne DaCosta-trained COSMIC JUSTICE has failed to impress in two starts, but last time out, did get significantly closer over 1100 metres on November 20 when finishing seven lengths fifth to BLACK RIVER.
COSMIC JUSTICE has been administered Lasix for this race and this is expected to enhance her performance. The chestnut filly by Brave Hill out of Shaneek Que should welcome the longer distance and with Simpson prevailing with the ride, will not be far away at the end.
Still, the two best equipped to fight out the finish are STATE PRINCE and NUMERO UNO who like COSMIC JUSTICE has been treated with Lasix for the first time.
The Gregory Bucknor-trained STATE PRINCE caught the eye when racing prominently for a long way behind smart debutante MIRACLE MAN over 1400 metres on November 27, only wilting a bit in the last furlong to finish six lengths fourth.
That race was run in a smart 1:27.3 on a slow surface, hence STATE PRINCE's final time of 1:28.4 was not bad indeed. The son of Outrigger Seattle Princess has trained very well since and is sure to fight out the finish from his convenient mark of 52kg, thanks to Newell's 3kg apprentice claim.
While having every respect for STATE PRINCE, I believe NUMERO UNO gets a glorious opportunity to release his maiden certificate and should take it with both hands, so to speak.
WENT DOWN FIGHTING
Trained by Anthony Nunes, the chestnut gelding by Sir Lal Bahadur out of Private Number went down fighting to PRINCE MOHAWK as the red hot 2-5 favourite on November 24 over 1200 metres, but has worked fairly well in preparation for this trophy.
Being a half brother to this year's 1000 Guineas and Oaks winner LATONIA, NUMERO UNO should be seen to better advantage over a mile and with the figure eight now fitted, not to mention the application of Lasix, he will prove hard to beat. I am expecting him to go through leaving the half mile and make the best on his way home, holding STATE PRINCE at bay in the drive.
Of the 11 starters declared for the Charlie James Memorial Cup, COMMON 'D', who won easily over the distance on November 13, should be good enough to resume winning ways despite the presence of the recent winner SPEED MACHINE, JAMAICA JADE, SHADE OF JADE and HERECOMESTHEJURY.
Although running wide into the straight, the Ryan Darby trained four-year-old gelding stormed through a furlong out to beat JAMAICA JADE by four lengths, but came back with a non-effort over 1500 metres on November 24 when finishing a poor seventh to MYBLUBELLE minus his customary figure eight. That equipment has been refitted for this race and COMMON 'D' with apprentice Andron Findley again at the helm, should prove hard to withstand in the last furlong.
I also like the speedy HEARTOFA-MAVERICK to repeat at the expense of MOST WANTED in the second race, the well-prepared LADY LAMMTARRA to go all the way in the third, PRIME FURY to stave off THE BARBADIAN in the fifth, UNTOUCHABLE to romp the seventh and LADY ISIS to do likewise at the expense of REEF RUNNER and RAPIDASH in the ninth race over the circular nine course.
