Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer

With the season?s first classics (1000 and 2000 Guineas) only three weeks away, the ?trials? are on at Caymanas Park today, the 11-race programme featuring the Prince Consort Stakes for 3-y-o colts and geldings and the Thornbird Stakes for fillies, both over 1400 metres.

The card also features the Arthur Jones Memorial Cup graded stakes over 1200 metres. Six have been declared including the impressive 6-y-o gelding DISTINCTLY IRISH, now bidding for a hat-trick of wins following his emphatic victory in the recent Eros Trophy and the speedy American horse, CLOCK WORK, who was second in the same race.

'irish' looking sharp

It should be close between the two with a furlong less to travel, but the Philip Feanny-trained DISTINCTLY IRISH has looked so sharp in his preparation that he ought to be followed, despite top weight of 60.5kg and Ian Spence replacing customary rider, Winston ?Fanna? Griffiths.

The Thornbird ?Guineas Trial? Stakes has attracted 13 starters, including top weight RIO INFINITO who won the Hot Line Stakes over 1200 metres with Lasix on February 17, the speedy JAZZY JET who was second in that race, along with GLITTER CLEARANCE, GRACE MARIE and the recent winner OUTFITHER, to be ridden by Griffiths for Feanny.

The Gary Subratie-trained RIO INFINITO did herself proud by winning the Hot Line Stakes, coming through under the apprentice Carlton Malcolm to catch and beat long-time leader JAZZY JET by 2-1/2 lengths. Both report well trained and RIO INFINITO, in particular, will not be troubled by the additional furlong. The big question is whether she can successfully allow weight to old rival GLITTER CLEARANCE and the steadily improving GRACE MARIE, both ideally suited to the distance.

While I expect good runs from RIO INFINITO, GRACE MARIE and GLITTER CLEARANCE, the one I like best is OUTFITHER, who came into her own on March 7 with an impressive win over 1100 metres. This lightly raced grey filly by Outrigger out of the Corsicana mare Korsage is progressing along the right lines and with the longer distance no problem, looks the one to beat.

In contrast, the Prince Consort Stakes has attracted 11 starters, including the top two juveniles of last season, RUM TALK and MUCHO GUSTO, both of whom are out for the first time since finishing first and second in the Supreme Ventures Jamaica 2-Year-Old Stakes over 1600 metres on Boxing Day.

Trained by Feanny, the late-kicking RUM TALK produced a devastating last furlong run to catch the Anthony Nunes-trained MUCHO GUSTO on the line that day and these two could have the finish to themselves again.

In addition to RUM TALK and MUCHO GUSTO, others expected to run well are the unbeaten ROMEZ (working well) and the DaCosta-trained RUN ALDEENO, who was beaten into fourth place by RUM TALK on Boxing Day.

Reduced trip

Bearing in mind the reduced trip and the fact that MUCHO GUSTO has been burning up the track at exercise in preparation for this race, the talented bay gelding by Law Of The Sea out of Sweet Desire should take a lot of beating with in-form Paul ?Country? Francis aboard.

MUCHO GUSTO caught the eye at exercise last Sunday morning when galloping six furlongs in 1:12.1, the last five in 58.4. With his preparation complete plus the fact that his last win was achieved over this trip in November of last year, MUCHO GUSTO looks the right choice.

I am expecting him to make most from the number one post position and hold the late-kicking RUM TALK, under five-time champion Trevor Simpson, at bay in the closing stages.