By Orville Clarke, Freelance WriterELEVEN RACES are down for decision at Caymanas Park today, including the annual renewal of the Altamont V. Armond Memorial Cup (claiming $260,000 - $220,000) over 2000 metres.
Leading lights in the eight-horse field are CRIMSON MAGIC, to be ridden by champion jockey Trevor Simpson for trainer Tensang Chung, and SIR MOHANDAS BABA, with former champion jockey Joe Buchanan riding for trainer Otis Burke.
In addition to these two, others such as MR. LONGINO, ASYNJUR and to a lesser extent SQUARE GARDEN should ensure a competitive race, especially the grey MR. LONGINO who not only won over a mile on December 11 but went down fighting behind MR. VIGOROUS over 1500 metres in his subsequent race on Ash Wednesday.
Trainer Richie Todd has MR. LONGINO in good nick at present and it is not beyond the 6-y-o son of Royal Minister - Fabulous Wedding to run the two principals close.
Both CRIMSON MAGIC and SIR MOHANDAS BABA are ideally suited to this trip and it should be close between them.
Significantly, SIR MOHANDAS BABA is a former top-class campaigner who won the Prime Minister's Stakes over the distance some years ago.
FAST-FINISHING SECOND
Although having declined with the years, the nine-year-old son of Sir Lal Bahadur-Lady Anandi is still good enough to win on a $240,000 tag. He caught the eye on January 15 when a fast-finishing second to LADY ISIS over the circular nine course on a $180,000 tag and although in tougher spot, has looked so well in condition of late that he could score an overdue win from his convenient mark of 52kg.
Despite his sound claims, preference is for CRIMSON MAGIC who is actually stepping down in class to vie for this trophy.
The seven-year-old gelding by Splinter Red out of Bag Of Diamonds was far from disgraced on February 5 when finishing a close sixth to GILNOCK over 1400 metres on a $320,000 tag.
He was beaten by only 3 1/4 lengths that day, closing as many as 10 3/4 lengths up the lane after being outpaced in the backstretch. And prior to that he was a fast-finishing to RED GENERAL over the circular nine course on a similar. The third horse CORDITE paid tribute to the form by winning over 1500 metres on a $320,000 tag last Saturday.
All in all, CRIMSON MAGIC has been a model of consistency and now back among his peers, should make no mistake in the strong hands of Simpson.
Other firm fancies on the card which kicks off at 12:30 p.m. are SARAH'S FRIEND in the second race, SIXTH SENSE in the fifth, I AM PAID FOR in the seventh, PRINCESS CHIONESO in the eighth and RESTLESS RUFFLE over HADDO and ROYAL FIESTA in the 11th and final event.
