Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer
Harding ... rides Precocious Miss D.
ALTHOUGH THE Royal Lancaster Trophy race for maiden two-year-olds is today's Caymanas Park feature, the overnight allowance rematch between old rivals ZICKWARTY and PRECOCIOUS MISS D in the ninth race over the round five course is the focus of attention.
When they last met over 1100 metres on October 15, ZICKWARTY made all under top weight of 57kg to beat PRECOCIOUS MISS D by 1 3/4 lengths, only to be disqualified after a Stewards' Inquiry for causing repeated interference to PRECOCIOUS MISS D and their positions reversed.
Today, PRECOCIOUS MISS D is 2kg worse off with ZICKWARTY at the scales. But having come back to run a brave race under top weight when finishing a close third (chased) to KAMIR over 1200 metres on October 29, the American-bred, three-year-old filly from the in-form stables of Gary Subratie stables can win today without any help from the stewards.
IMPEDED
To many, PRECOCIOUS MISS D would have passed ZICKWARTY when looming large on the outside from a furlong out, but she was impeded in her efforts by Panamanian jockey Ameth Robles who drifted out ZICKWARTY into her path, forcing her to switch to the inside midway through the last furlong.
PRECOCIOUS MISS D has trained well for this race, and while top weight ZICKWARTY (Clive Lynch up) will again be a tough opponent over this sharp sprint, I expect her to have his measure in the closing exchanges. ZICKWARTY will no doubt set off in front but with ZIP UP and NATURAL PRINCE expected to inject their brand of speed into the pace, it could set up the race nicely for PRECOCIOUS MISS D with title-chasing jockey Brian Harding again at the helm.
Harding should also win the Royal Lancaster Trophy 2-y-o feature with MAJOR MAYER who showed up prominently for a long way on his recent debut behind RAMPAGE over 1400 metres.
GAINED EXPERIENCE
The chestnut colt from the stables of Michael McIntosh will not only have gained from the experience, but will appreciate the shorter distance (round five) and should win from the well forward debutante RIVERS LOOSE in a field of nine maiden two-year-olds.
Other firm fancies on the card are EASTERN LIGHT to win the fourth race over the straight five course, RAKKADASH to follow suit over the same distance in the fifth, GATLIN to stave off JAGMAR and CORDITE in the eighth and SILVER WEDDING in the nightcap.
