File
The Smoker in action at Caymanas Park in December 2005. He is tipped to win today's feature, the Commock Memorial Cup.

Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer

NINE HORSES have been declared for today's restricted allowance feature for the Aston Commock Memorial Cup over 1700 metres at Caymanas Park, including the likely favourite THE SMOKER who bids to make it two in a row.

The race is confined to four-year-olds and up, non-winners of three other than.

A classic aspirant early in his three-year-old career last year, THE SMOKER finished fifth to RAMPAGE in the 2000 Guineas last year, but a setback in his preparation caused him to miss the last seven months of the year.

He returned on a triumphant note just four days short of a year on May 23 (Labour Day), coming through in the last furlong to win a non-winners of three race over 1300 metres with Paul Francis aboard, holding off the late-closing favourite BELLA IN BLOOM by 1 1/4 lengths.

THE SMOKER has been busy at exercise since and has looked fluent in his preparation for today's encounter. He is not harshly treated with 54kg and, coming from a good draw on the outside of the field, will prove hard to beat with Francis again at the helm.

David Delisser's four-year-old grey gelding by Smokeshouse Sam out of Lady Diana is even better for this race and with the trip right up his street is tipped to make it two in a row.

Suited to distance

Still, THE SMOKER can expect stiff opposition from OLE KING COLE, HEY TRAIN, SPECIAL CAT and the improving POORLITTLERICHBOY, all ideally suited to the distance. The Vin Edwards-trained HEY TRAIN looks tempting at the weights with only 50kg andhaving won over this trip back in January, beating JCD SLEW and LADY SEETADEO in decisive fashion, is sure to have a say.

Although his recent form is not encouraging, having finished a remote fifth to ABENG and POORLITTLERICHBOY over 1800 metres on June 13, it should be borne in mind that HEY TRAIN placed in overnight allowance company earlier this season.

Indeed, a reproduction of his close second (finishing fast) to BELLAS GATE BOY over 1500 metres on May 12, when pipping the Derby winner and favourite RANSOM MAN for second, could take him close with in-form apprentice Carlton Malcolm aboard.

While having every respect for HEY TRAIN, the main danger to THE SMOKER could well be OLE KING COLE, who advertised his well-being when finishing second to ASKAWOMAN over 1200 metres on June 27.

The four-year-old colt from the stables of Dennis Lee should relish the longer distance and with Oneil Mullings riding in good form, OLE KING COLE will only go down fighting. THE SMOKER to win from OLE KING COLE and HEY TRAIN is my idea of the outcome. I also like the unbeaten 3-y-o filly OUTSTANDING to romp the first race, down in class DIGI N' JIGGY in the second, speedy TIME OF MY LIFE to make all in the third, OUTFITHER in the fifth, ELECTRO SMART in the ninth and classy ALLIEDFORCE to repeat in the 10th.