Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer
TOTAL MOTION, running at odds of 53-1 with jockey Peter Bryan aboard, scores a stunning upset in the 10th race over 1100m for overnight allowance horses at Caymanas Park on Saturday, winning by a neck from 5-1 chance MINISTEROFFINANCE (Hubert Bartley). - IAN ALLEN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
WITH THE principal feature for the Bonnie Blue Flag Trophy over 1820 metres having to be abandoned, due to insufficient entries, the Labour Day Trophy for $400,000-$350,000 claimers over 1200 metres holds centre stage on the holiday programme.
The Bonnie Blue Flag Trophy has been rescheduled to this Saturday, May 28.
The Labour Day Trophy should provide keen competition, as no fewer than five of the 12 starters have good claims. These are BROTHER DANIEL, GALINA POINT, RISTO-CAT, SWEET SURVIVOR and fleet-footed THE BARBARIAN, who romped home by all of 11 lengths over 1000 metres in the smart time of 1:00.0 on May 4.
Although stepping up a notch to vie for this trophy, THE BARBARIAN has little to fear from high claiming and back in action with a mere 50.0 kg, should make a brave bid with champion apprentice Paul Francis again in the saddle.
BROTHER DANIEL also won easily when last raced on April 6, trotting up by 3-1/2 lengths from QUICK MEDIC over 1400 metres on a $390,000 tag. This versatile five-year-old horse from the stables of Glenville Morrissey returns with his fair share of weight on 56.0 kg, but at his best he usually has the beating of claiming company and is sure to prove a tough opponent with reliable Paul Ramsay in the saddle.
What's more, BROTHER DANIEL is ideally drawn on the outside of the field and should race in close touch of the expected leaders MILLENIUM PRINCESS, THE BARBARIAN and RISTO-CAT before making his bid on entering the straight.
RISTO-CAT, the mount of champion jockey Trevor Simpson, should also enter the reckoning, especially with a trophy at stake. Trained by Roy Shields, the 4-y-o colt last won over 1500 metres on March 5, but has campaigned unsuccessfully in overnight allowance company in three subsequent races. Now dropped in class and trained with a purpose, RISTO-CAT will not be out of it.
The American filly SWEET SURVIVOR is another dangerous contender, despite running poorly over the distance (bled) on May 7 in a fast-run race (1:12.1) won by SEATTLE'S GIRL.
One really has to go back to August of last year to pluck out a performance that could greatly enhance her chances today.
Back then, the Wayne DaCosta-trained SWEET SURVIVOR finished 2-1/4 lengths second to GOOD TO GO in a fast run 1200-metre race and if able to emulate that performance today, could win at a good price.
Still, the one best equipped to take home this trophy must be GALINA POINT, who caught the eye when finishing 5-1/2 lengths fourth to ZICKWARTY in a hotly contested round five race for overnight allowance horses on May 7.
Trained by current champion Philip Feanny, the 5-y-o gelding by Law Of The Sea out of Tropical Wave closed almost six lengths up the lane last time out and that being his first outing in five months, will have stripped fitter for today's encounter.
GALINA POINT should also welcome the additional furlong and back in action from the convenient mark of 51.0 kg and in-form claiming apprentice Dalton Brown aboard, should prove hard to contain in the last furlong.
I am expecting GALINA POINT to upstage BROTHER DANIEL, RISTO-CAT and SWEET SURVIVOR in that order.
Other firm fancies on the card are ESTOY LISTO in the 4th race, PRINCE NATHANIEL in the 6th, SOUTHERN DANCER in the 7th, HAFIFA in the 8th and SIR ABBAS MANGAL in the closing race for $150,000 claimers.
