Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer
Swing By is driven out by Charles Hussey to win the 1000 Guineas over 1600m by 2-1/4 lengths from stable companion Bella In Bloom (not in picture) at Caymanas Park on April 1. Swing By is the hot favourite for today's BGLC trophy. -
Ian Allen/Staff Photographer
The second and final leg of the two-day Independence Racing Carnival concludes at Caymanas Park today with the well-supported 10-race programme featuring the Prime Minister's Stakes over 2000 metres (grade one) and the 3-y-o and up open allowance race for the Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Commission (BGLC) Trophy over 1400 metres.
Other trophy races are the restricted allowance V for the Charles Randle Trophy over 1820 metres, the inaugural running of the Albert Rose Memorial Trophy over 1100 metres and the 2006 Independence Stakes Trophy for $160,000 claimers over 1600 metres.
Seven starters have been declared for the $1.1 million Prime Minister's Stakes and from the look of things, it will take a brave punter to oppose the reigning 'Horse of the Year' MIRACLE MAN, who carries customary top weight of 60.5kg with champion jockey Brian Harding aboard.
The 2005 Derby, St. Leger and Red Stripe Superstakes winner is unbeaten in four starts this season and with the legendary 'Hall of Fame' trainer Allan 'Billy' Williams having taken him to task at exercise, MIRACLE MAN should lead home the proven stayer GOOD COMPANY in this small field.
Seven also face the starter in the fourth running of the BGLC Trophy, including this year's 2000 Guineas winner RAMPAGE who looked the part on July 29 when putting away MEDICAL REPORT and LA REINA over 1200 metres.
As part of the annual promotion, the BGLC has made provision to adopt a school in the Portmore community for one year. The school selected for funding will be one promoting early childhood education.
Champion trainer Wayne DaCosta holds a strong hand with the trio of ROYAL RUN, recent winner CHADMAN and the fleet-footed 3-y-o filly SWING BY, who won both the 1000 Guineas and Oaks earlier this season.
In what promises to be an interesting contest, SWING BY has moved so impressively at exercise in preparation for this trophy that she looks the one to beat with only 51.0kg. The dark bay filly by Alisios out of Skip By turned heads at exercise on Tuesday morning when galloping 5 1/2 furlongs in 1:05.2, the last five in 58.4.
With her preparation complete, SWING BY, who last raced and finished fourth in the June 3 Digicel Derby, gets the nod over top weight RAMPAGE and MEDICAL REPORT.
Other good bets are COMMANDING LIGHT to beat SAMMY HO SO in the Albert Rose Memorial, PATAS DE FUEGO to upstage JACK DE FREAK and recent winner MANISH in the 2006 Independence Stakes Trophy, the late kicking RED ROCK to catch ALINIGHT in the Charles Randle Trophy, SUMMER WIND in the 2nd and RIGMAROLE in the 4th.
