Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer
Clock Work in action at Caymanas Park at the Red Stripe Superstakes 2005 on Saturday, November 12, 2005. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer
Today's nine-race programme at Caymanas Park offers no trophy race, hence the three-year-old and up open allowance race over 1200 metres is the focus of attention.
The race has attracted six starters, including the down-in-class CLOCK WORK, the fleet-footed DOUBLE BOW and the much-improved three-year-old filly KYSHA BABY, along with her stable-companion PRECOCIOUS MISS D, who chalked up a long overdue win over the distance on August 12 when ridden by champion jockey Brian Harding.
Harding again has the leg over the American-bred four-year-old filly who hails from the in-form stables of trainer Gary Subratie. While I expect her to figure prominently, as do KYSHA BABY, the race will more than likely be won by CLOCK WORK or the Donovan Bruce-trained DOUBLE BOW, who has notched up six wins from only eight career starts.
DOUBLE BOW, with in-form jockey Oniel Mullings who returns from a three-day suspension again in the saddle, is expected to lead them on a merry chase. But whether he can escape the proven class horse, CLOCK WORK, is left to be seen.
Faded in last furlong
From the stables of champion trainer Wayne DaCosta, CLOCK WORK ran much better than his final placing indicated when finishing 6 1/4 lengths sixth to 'Horse of the Year' MIRACLE MAN in the Eileen Cliggott Trophy over 1300 metres on August 26, a race in which he turned for home three lengths third before fading in the last furlong.
CLOCK WORK has been taken to task at exercise in preparation for this race and now down in class, the top weight of 57.0kg should not deny him.
One of the more competitive races on the card is the seventh, confined to native bred three-year-olds over 1500 metres.
Thirteen will face the starter, including the recent winners FABULOUS P and CRAYONS TO PERFUME, the consistent CHIEF COUNCILLOR along with DIGITEC, ABSOLUTE STORMER, CARIBBEAN MINISTER, RED LION and Charles Hussey's mount BLUE MARLIN who should benefit from stronger handling today.
In a really tough race, the Lee Clarke-trained CHIEF COUNCILLOR has the necessary credentials to upstage FABULOUS P, CRAYONS TO PERFUME, BLUE MARLIN and CARIBBEAN MINISTER.
The son of Royal Minister has not had the best of luck in running but has been close up in his last four races and back in action with only 51.0kg, gets my vote.
Other firm fancies on the card are MAJOR MAYOR to beat JET BLASTER and LA PRESIDENTA in the third, HAWAIIAN DANCER to make all at the expense of KEELER in the fourth, SHADEKAY over LADY ISIS in the sixth and SHAN FABULOSO to beat LIBERTADOR and CHING SING in the closing race.
