Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer
QUIET STRENGTH with regular jockey Winston Griffiths aboard scores a win, one of nine in his last 10 starts, in April at Caymanas Park earlier this year. - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer
THE CRACK American bred sprinter QUIET STRENGTH goes for his ninth win from his last 10 starts at Caymanas Park today when he faces five opponents in the graded stakes feature for the She's On Wheels Trophy over 1100 metres.
From the stables of 14-time champion Philip Feanny, QUIET STRENGTH is fresh from his recent win in the valuable Digicel Irish Jamaican Stakes over 1300 metres on June 3, this under top weight of 60.5kg.
QUIET STRENGTH, who will again be ridden by leading all-time jockey Winston Griffiths in the silks of Lakeland Farms, returns with a similar impost. But this will not deter the fleet-footed son of Pioneering - Sarita Sarita, who has won five of his six races this season.
Indeed, his only defeat came over this trip on May 13 when finishing third to the stable-companions FORMALLY GOLD and LIL' COUNTRY BOY in the hotly-contested Lotto Sprint Trophy.
QUIET STRENGTH and LIL' COUNTRY BOY were locked in an intense speed duel that day, both playing into the hands of the fast-finishing FORMALLY GOLD, who has been a model of consistency at this the highest level and is not without a chance.
QUIET STRENGTH can expect stiff opposition from the Wayne DaCosta-trained trio of LIL'COUNTRY BOY, FOR-MALLY GOLD and not least, CLOCK WORK, all proven grade one horses.
CLOCK WORK has good speed and has worked fairly well to meet this engagement. But whether he can sit just 2.0kg below QUIET STRENGTH and come out on top is left to be seen.
Stable jockey Charles Hussey has instead gone for LIL'
COUNTRY BOY who is coming off a recent win over the distance in open allowance company. On his best day, 'COUNTRY BOY' is arguably the fastest horse in the country and having looked real sharp at exercise, will only go down fighting.
FANCIED
Still, QUIET STRENGTH has beaten him three of the four times they have met this season and is fancied to do so again.
Feanny has left no stone unturned to present QUIET STRENGTH razor sharp today, the 4-y-o colt looking the part at exercise on Momday morning when galloping 5-1/2 furlongs in a fast 1:05.3, the last five in 59.2.
With his preparation complete, QUIET STRENGTH looks the one to beat.
Other firm fancies on the card are UNTOUCHABLE to upstage TOBAGO in the J.W. 'Judge' Hardie Memorial Cup (high claiming) over 1600 metres, BUNKER DUST in the 1st race, COMMANDNG LIGHT over KYSHA BABY in the 6th for three-year-olds, along with HERECOMESFUDGIE in the 7th and ELECTRO SMART in the 8th.
