Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer
WINNING MESSAGE, one of three winners for in-form jockey Wesley Henry, getting the better of long-time leader ARCHANGEL (Omar Walker) to win the eighth race over 1200 metres as the even-money favourite at Caymanas Park on Saturday. - Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer
Two competitive-looking trophy races are down for decision at Caymanas Park today, including the three-year-old restricted allowance (non-winners of two) for the Joseph Armond Memorial Cup over the circular nine course.
Also on the nine-race programme, which gets under way at 12:50 p.m., is the $350,000-$320,000 claiming race for the Paul Newman Memorial Trophy over 1600 metres.
The latter race has attracted 13 starters, including leading lights INTROSPECTION, ALL FIRED UP, ASIA WINTER, SATISFIER, SONNY'B'GOOD, GUIDING LIGHT and TOBAGO, all winners in recent months.
This race has a rather open look about it, but should GUIDING LIGHT report anywhere near his best, he will prove hard to withstand.
The four-year-old gelding by Freshly Squeeze out of Nuclear Explosion came from a long way off the pace to win over this trip on October 16 on a $420,000 tag. Claimed out of that race from Percy Hussey by Robert Darby Sr., GUIDING LIGHT was not disgraced when finishing a fair fifth (closing) to BANJUHAR over 1500 metres on November 11 and now back to a mile and down in class, only needs to be alert at the start in order to upstage the recent winners ALL FIRED UP and INTROSPECTION.
Meanwhile, CRAYONS TO PERFUME, from the stables of veteran Hall of Famer Allan 'Billy' Williams, looks the one to beat in the Joseph Armond Memorial Cup, even though she can expect stiff opposition from ABSOLUTE STORMER under champion and leading jockey Brian Harding, CHIEF COUNCILLOR with bang-in-form, title-chasing jockey Wesley Henry, RED LION with Oneil Mullings aboard, and HEY TRAIN, the mount of leading apprentice Carlton Malcolm.
It should be recalled that CRAYONS TO PERFUME finished a good second to BORN FIGHTER when last venturing over this trip on October 16, staving off the third horse SHIVOYNE (a subsequent winner) by half a length for second.
Fast-finishing third
SHIVOYNE was a fast-finishing third to SOPHIA and QUEEN OF MY HEART in non-winners of three on Saturday, a performance that speaks volumes for the chances of CRAYONS TO PERFUME, which also had HEY TRAIN (fourth), ABSOLUTE STORMER (fifth) and RED LION (ninth) behind on October 16.
When last raced on November 25, CRAYONS TO PERFUME stayed on well to finish second to AITHCHEMESBEAGLE in muddy conditions over 1500 metres, and having worked well in preparation for this trophy will prove hard to beat from the convenient mark of 53.0kg. She should win from CHIEF COUNCILLOR, who will enjoy this milder pace and HEY TRAIN who will relish the distance.
Other firm fancies on the card are ISLAND CIGAR (regaining form) in the second race, IL CAIMANO with Harding astride in the 3rd, ROYAL FLAME (fifth) and ESTOY LISTO (sixth) to strengthen Harding's chances in the title race, CHING SING with 'Callaloo' Henry aboard, ahead of REGAL SERENADE, BEYOND BRILLIANT and NAVAJOJOE in the nightpan.
