Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer
UNCLE D & ME, with top apprentice Javour Simpson aboard, romps to victory over 1200 metres in January. It is expected to feature in today's Clifford Stewart Memorial Cup. - Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer
ELEVEN STARTERS have been declared for the third running of the Sports Journalists of Jamaica Trophy race, claiming $315,000-$280,000 over 1200 metres at Caymanas Park today.
Another race over the same distance, the Clifford Stewart Memorial Cup, is the secondary feature on the programme of 11 races.
This race has a rather open look about it, with the likes of UNCLE D & ME, ROBIN'S BAY, down-in-class RED I and HARMONICS, who ran a blinder in defeat when touched off by NIJINSKY'S WAR last Saturday, poised to fight it out.
The fleet-footed filly ROBIN'S BAY will no doubt set off in front under title-chasing jockey Trevor Simpson, but being a proven short runner, I suspect she will be caught by either UNCLE D & ME or RED I, who steps down on the convenient mark of 52kg after finishing a close sixth (running on) to COMIN TRUE over the straight on a $260,000 tag last Saturday.,
Preference, however, is for UNCLE D & ME who beat all barring the improving WAGONIST over 1400 metres when last raced on May 5 and, like RED I, is down in class for a crack at this trophy as well.
In the Sports Journalists of Jamaica Trophy, the winner will more than likely come from the quartet of JET BLASTER, ROCK STAR QUEEN, INTRO-SPECTION and WAGONIST, who bids for a hat-trick of wins under in-form jockey Oneil Mullings.
WAGONIST and ROCK STAR QUEEN have done well in recent months and either is capable of winning. Claimed out of his last race, WAGONIST steps up in class with his fair share of weight, but being an improving sort, could still prove equal to the task.
ROCK STAR QUEEN has won two of her last four races, the first of these over today's trip on March 28 at odds of 11-1. She beat an even better field over 1300 metres on May 2, getting home ahead of FIWI EMBLEM and the then favourite INTROSPECTION in the Birnamwood Trophy, and is back with a grand chance from the convenient mark of 52.0kg and smart apprentice Carlton Malcolm aboard.
My fancy
While respecting ROCK STAR QUEEN and WAGONIST, it is JET BLASTER who catches my fancy.
From the in-form stables of Dwight Chen, JET BLASTER has not won a race in almost a year, but having lowered his sights for this trophy could just be a cut above the present opposition.
Coming from a bad draw over the straight on May 23 and with stable companion DEVIL WOMAN better fancied, JET BLASTER was 5 1/2 lengths ninth to QUEEN OF MY HEART in non-winners of four, but a month earlier finished a fair third to WHITE DIAMOND in a fast-run (1:19.4) 1300-metre race and a similar effort here should do the trick with Simpson aboard.
Other firm fancies on the card are ALNASKRA over RHYMAT in the second; BELLA IN BLOOM in the fourth; CLASSY BOY PETE in the fifth, UNTOUCHABLE in the sixth; and LIQUID GOLD in the nightpan.
