Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer

The favourite TALLAWAH (right) is driven out by champion jockey Brian Harding to win the 10th race for the Flossie McNeill Memorial Cup over 1200 metres by a short head from the fast-finishing FIRE D TRAINER (Oral Bennet) at Caymanas Park last November. TALLAWAH is expected to challenge MELINDAGATA in today's feature, the Howard Phillips Memorial Cup. - Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer

ONLY SIX starters have been declared for today's Caymanas Park feature race for the Howard Phillips Memorial Cup over 1100 metres, this for native bred four-year-olds and up, non-winners of three.

Three horses hold the key to the outcome - FREE FALL, TALLAWAH and MELINDAGATA, all of whom have won races in recent months.

MELINDAGATA had FREE FALL behind in fourth when finishing a close third to SANKOFA over this trip on January 13 and continues to look the part at exercise in preparation for this race.

Owned and trained by Richard Azan, this 4-y-o bay filly by Royal Minister out of Costa Linda renews her rivalry with FREE FALL on 3.5kg better terms and should maintain her superiority over the chestnut gelding.

Changed stables

It should be noted, however, that FREE FALL has changed stables since his last race, moving from eight-time champion Kenneth Mattis to trainer Robert Darby Sr. With Darby in form, FREE FALL is sure to prove competitive.

The Anthony Nunes-trained filly TALLAWAH, with in-form Paul 'Country' Francis aboard, last won the Flossie McNeill Memorial Cup over 1200 metres on November 22, just lasting from subsequent winner FIRE D TRAINER in a large field.

She was not disgraced in three subsequent races and having worked well, her chances must be rated highly in this small field as she can lead or come from behind if the situation demands.

MELINDAGATA, however, was a winner over this trip on December 13 and with her well-being exposed next time out, this free-running filly looks the right choice from the convenient mark of 52kg and in-form claiming apprentice Jason Simpson aboard.

Good speed

She has good speed and will be gunning to make all from her favourable outside draw. FREE FALL and TALLAWAH should ensure she does not have things too easily up the lane.

The budding classic aspirant MARK TO MARKET from the powerful stables of champion trainer Wayne DaCosta is confidently expected to repeat in the opening race over 1400 metres for maiden three-year-olds.

MARK TO MARKET won very easily over the distance on January 27, continues to move impressively at exercise and should have little difficulty in staving off IL CAIMANO, who has also worked well in preparation for this race.

Other firm fancies on the card are METEOR MAN in the fifth race, EMMVEEPEE to tag MARINERO and SCOTCHONTHEROCKS in the sixth over the straight, KERMIT to catch WINNING MESSAGE in the seventh and MY BOY, now dropped in class, to win the closing straight five race ahead of TWIN STAR and SEGA.