- RICARDO MAKYN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
High Roller (left), offering odds of 5-1 with apprentice Andron Findley aboard, holds off the favourite Lady Poojah (Ramon Parish) by a length to win division two of the Percy Martin Memorial Cup for maiden three-year-olds over the straight five course at Caymanas Park on Saturday.
Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer
IT'S HOLIDAY racing at Caymanas Park today, the well-supported 12-race programme featuring the 3-y-o and up overnight allowance race for the Easter Sprint Cup. Post time is noon.
The $390,000 feature has attracted 12 starters, including the highly thought of American 3-y-o colt QUIET STRENGTH who bids for a hat-trick of wins, with leading all-time jockey Winston Griffiths again in the saddle.
Trained by reigning champion Philip Feanny, QUIET STRENGTH has won twice from as many starts this season, firstly on January 8 over 1,100 metres in restricted company, clocking the smart time of 1:05.4, and following up with another fast-time win over the round five course on February 19 under top weight of 57.0kg, this in overnight allowance company.
In both instances QUIET STRENGTH made all the running to win convincingly. Last time out he led home CRUCIAL POINT and BATTLEOX, both of whom renew rivalry on somewhat improved terms today.
CRUCIAL POINT, in particular, has been a model of consistency and having worked really well in preparation for this race, should not be denied a chance with champion jockey Trevor Simpson back in the saddle following a three-day suspension.
While CRUCIAL POINT and BATTLEOX could get closer at the weights, it is another importee, ZICKWARTY, who should emerge the biggest danger to QUIET STRENGTH.
Having impressed with four wins last season, the American 4-y-o colt from the stables of Anthony 'Baba' Nunes has failed to click from three starts under top weight this year, but all has apparently not been right with him since the start of 2005.
Reporting with a change of equipment (blinkers off, figure eight fitted), ZICKWARTY (Brian Harding up) has caught the eye at exercise in his preparation, galloping five furlongs in 59.4 on March 17.
The son of CRAFTY FRIEND should leave the poor form behind, but preference is for the bang in form QUIET STRENGTH who has moved impressively at exercise as well, and should extend his streak, more than likely in post-to-post fashion.
CTL CLAIMING SERIES
Also on the card is race number three in the CTL Claiming Series ($170,000 and less) to be contested by 15 starters.
With a number of them having won in recent weeks, the race promises to be the most competitive of the series so far, as no fewer than seven have good claims.
Among them are the recent winners DANCE DIXIE, JUSTIFIED AWARD, STRAIGHTTOTHEHEART, LONG LONG JOURNEY and SELECT PRINCESS, as well as BUCKEISHA and the down in class AFFIRMATION to be ridden by three-time champion jockey Hubert 'Chinna' Bartley. 'Chinna' returns to the saddle today after an absence of two years during which he struggled with weight problems.
AFFIRMATION, now dropped in class, could provide Bartley with a winner in this easier spot, but my leaning is towards the Rowan Mathie-trained SELECT PRINCESS who romped the Colin Melhado Memorial Cup over the distance on February 12, scoring by four lengths from POWERED BY TUNDRA and AFFIRMATION.
