Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer
RUM TALK (right), ridden by Trevor Simpson, wins the third race for two-year-olds by a neck from the favourite NEGRIL LASS (Paul Francis) over 1100 metres at Caymanas Park on Wednesday, to give trainer Philip Feanny the first of two winners on the 11-race programme.
Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer
The three-year-old and up overnight allowance race for the William Read Memorial Cup over 1300 metres is the principal feature at Caymanas Park today and this race has a rather open look about it.
Also on the 11-race programme is the 2-y-o maiden condition race for the Richard Ashenheim Cup over 1500 metres to be contested by 13 starters, including top contenders LA'S DANCER and the well-forward debutante COLUMBUS to be ridden by 'Hall of Fame' jockeys Winston Griffiths and Charles Hussey, respectively.
Seven starters have been declared for the William Read Memorial Trophy, including CHOSEN ONE who will more than likely start favourite by virtue of his close second to GIRL IN GOLD over 1100 metres in the Gerry Skelton Memorial Trophy race on December 2. Champion jockey Brian Harding again has the ride.
There should be strong support for the Wayne DaCosta-trained DIGI N' JIGGY under title-chasing jockey Wesley Henry, CIRCLE DROME, the mount of leading apprentice Carlton Malcolm and FUSILIER, who advertised his well-being on November 18 when finishing five lengths second to subsequent Gold Cup winner JUST SOME THOUGHTS over 1200 metres.
All of the above can be conceded chances, none moreso than the Dwight Chen-trained CHOSEN ONE who, despite top weight of 57.0kg, is so fit at present that he will not go down easily.
The five-year-old gelding by Law Of The Sea out of Country Chosen has won seven races from 41 career starts and $2.8 million in total stakes, yet is without a victory in 13 starts this season, despite second and third place finishes in a number of his races.
CHOSEN ONE gets a glorious chance on this occasion to register a win before the season is over. He was just outfinished by the late-closing American filly GIRL IN GOLD in the Gerry Skelton Memorial, going under by three-quarter lengths after racing just off the early pace with 57.0kg.
Among his victims were DIGI N' JIGGY who finished 4-1/4 sixth and the grey CIRCLE DROME who was six lengths seventh after suffering grave interference on the inside when looming large on the rails early in the last furlong.
CHOSEN ONE will welcome the additional furlong of this race and having looked really well at exercise in his preparation, is afforded a grand chance of going one better.
Still, it won't be a walk in the park for him as DIGI N' JIGGY, who carries joint top weight, has worked well and is coming to run, while CIRCLE DROME is obviously catching the pace of overnight company and cannot be underestimated with 51.0kg, nor should FULISIER who is as fit as hands can make him.
Other firm fancies on the card are LA'S DANCER who made a promising debut behind TRACK STAR recently, to win the Richard Ashenheim Cup, ROYAL KINGDOM in the second race, MARINERO in the third, POORLITTLERICHBOY in the fourth and DISTINCTLY IRISH in the fifth.
