Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer
Simpson ... rides Dancing Flames
HORSES FROM the $270,000-$240,000 claiming spread hold centre stage at Caymanas Park today when they contest the 35th running of the Eric Dias Memorial Cup feature race over the circular nine course.
This race was inaugurated in 1971 and was then run over 2200 metres (11 furlongs). On this occasion, it has attracted a competitive field of 12, the maximum allowed to start over this trip.
The main hopefuls are the recent winners FROMRUSSIA-WITHLOVE and HAPHAZARD, ASYNJUR, SHOWDOWN, EL BEAU, CRIMSON MAGIC and DANCING FLAMES, who is something of a specialist over the distance.
RED GENERAL has also won over the distance this season, leading home another two-turn specialist CRIMSON MAGIC by two lengths on a $320,000 tag on that occasion. However, both have been performing below par lately and while either is capable of rebounding in a race of this nature, the winner will more than likely come from a different quarter.
FROMRUSSIAWITHLOVE has the best form to recommend, having won back-to-back races over 1500 metres in recent weeks. He steps up in class in a bid for the hat-trick, but this will not deter the six-year-old son of Prime Rate Powers - Marlee Barley who has accomplished far more than any of his opponents career-wise, having won the 2000 Guineas in 2002 when trained by Percy Hussey.
Although having declined with the years, FROMRUSSIA-WITHLOVE is in the best shape of his career for some time and although stepping up in class to vie for this trophy, his chances must be rated highly with bustling lightweight jockey Leo Miller again in the saddle.
If FROMRUSSIAWITHLOVE is capable of completing the hat-trick, then HAPHAZARD will be right there to ensure he is extended. When both horses last met on August 6, FROMRUSSIAWITHLOVE held on by only a length from HAPHAZARD over 1500 metres and with the latter 1.0kg better off at the scales, it could go either way.
I am also expecting a big run from ASYNJUR who advertised her well being on August 1 when finishing a length adrift of JACK SPARROW over 1300 metres and along with EL BEAU, could make it close.
However, the one I like best is DANCING FLAMES, to be ridden by champion jockey Trevor Simpson for trainer Gresford Smith.
The seven-year-old mare has shown a particular liking for the circular nine course, having notched four of her eight wins over same, the most recent on May 7 when leading home SHOWDOWN and MANISH by two lengths.
Since notching that win, DANCING FLAMES has performed creditably in two subsequent races, firstly on May 21 when placing second to CAT LEGEND over this trip and again on June 4 when finishing a good third to JACK EM' UP over 1600 metres, both on $270,000 tags.
Given this milder pace, DANCING FLAMES is tipped to resume winning ways from the convenient mark of 52kg. She has good pace and over this trip, will not go down easily.
Other firm fancies on the card are RAJPUT to romp the opening race for maiden three-year-olds, THIS IS LIFE (working well after a long layoff) to do likewise in the second, FIRE WORKS who impressed on his recent debut to upstage TASSY'S WHIP in the fifth race for two-year-olds, MEETME AT THE WIRE in the eighth and NAVIGATOR to upstage the recent winner SAID I SAID I and MR. VIGOROUS in the closing race over 1500 metres to be contested by the maximum 16 starters.
