Orville Clarke, Gleaner Writer
Don't Stay Naked (right), ridden by Paul Francis, leads narrowly from the favourite on the outside, Nijinsky's War (Wesley Henry) and Exclusively, with Trevor Simpson aboard in the centre, early in the straight in race seven over 1500 metres at Caymanas Park at Monday's Independence Day race meet. Don't Stay Naked (2-1) proceeded to win by half-a-length from Nijinsky's War. - Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer
Horses from the $290,000-$260,000 claiming spread are down to contest the annual renewal of the Eric Dias Memorial Cup over the circular nine course. Post time is noon and 11 races are scheduled.
Among the seven starters are recent winner GOLCONDA to again be ridden by in-form Paul 'Country' Francis for veteran trainer Noel Ennevor.
She is by no means the only recent winner in the field as BABY RENEE won decisively over 1200 metres on August 1, while others such as FAIR QUEEN won easily over 1500 metres on July 19 and ALL FIRED UP scored by a wide margin over today's trip on June 10.
There is also SHADEKAY (to be ridden by new apprentice Andre Martin) who was second over the distance on July 1.
KEEN TUSSLE
GOLCONDA and FAIR QUEEN should have a keen tussle for favouritism and the winner could well come from this quarter. GOL-CONDA ran on well to beat CORDITE and FROMRUSSIA-WITHLOVE over a mile four weeks ago, this on a $275,000 claiming tag.
The six-year-old daughter of Liver Stand out of Timely Decision has been kept on the move at exercise and is still fit and raring to go.
Although yet to win over this trip, GOLCONDA should be at home over the circular course and back in action from the lenient mark of 51.0kg, is afforded a grand chance of repeating.
Title-chasing jockey Wesley 'Callaloo' Henry has the leg over the three-year-old filly FAIR QUEEN, who opened her account in fine style on a $200,000 tag some weeks ago when competently ridden by the sparingly-used Michael Henry.
She came back as the even-money favourite for a 1200-metre race on August 1 and could only manage fourth (slowly into stride) under the inexperienced apprentice Jason Simpson, beaten 7-1/2 lengths by BABY RENEE, who renews rivalry on better terms with champion jockey Brian Harding now slated.
OTHER FAVOURITES
Given the positive change of rider and the longer distance, FAIR QUEEN can rebound from the convenient mark of 52,0kg. Although having BABY RENEE to contend with once again, she should welcome this easier pace and 'Callaloo' could do the rest. SHADEKAY, who was not far adrift last Saturday when a fair sixth (closing) to OH NO GRANDPA over 1300 metres, seems comfortable at this level and along with Trevor Simpson's mount ALL FIRED up should keep GOLCONDA honest. GOLCONDA beat such a good field (including ALL FIRED UP and PADDY'S STORM) last time out that she seems capable of repeating, especially with the conditions still favourable. I also like the down-in-class GUIDING LIGHT to win the third race, PRECOCIOUS MISS D in the fifth, the straight specialist HEAVENLY DREAMS in the sixth, PECKUS OUT in the seventh and SEA CRACKERS in the eighth.
