Colin Hamilton/Freelance photographer
The 17-1 outsider Chadman is hard driven by in-form jockey Dane Nelson to stave off Calabash Bay (second left) in the closing stages of the Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Commission Trophy race over 1400 metres at Caymanas Park, on Wednesday. CHADMAN is trained by reining champion Wayne DaCosta.

Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer

Today marks the first leg of the two-day Independence racing carnival at Caymanas Park, the nine-race programme featuring the 3-y-o and up overnight allowance race for the Gerry Skelton Memorial Cup over 1100 metres.

Supporting feature is the Eileen Cliggott 90th Birthday Trophy commemorative race, sponsored by friends of the legendary female trainer who retired six years ago after saddling 976 winners locally.

This is a restricted allowance IV (non-winners of three) over 1200 metres to be contested by seven starters, including top contenders BLUE MARLIN, LIGHT MY FIRE, ADINA and PRINCESS NESSA.

Marlin's blanket finish

BLUE MARLIN, based on his blanket finish fourth to FIRE D TRAINER over this trip on July 7, will more than likely start favourite to give trainer Carl 'Peter' Anderson his first career win.

By virtue of that performance, BLUE MARLIN, who has good speed, gets the nod, but only just from ADINA and PRINCESS NESSA who has been trained with this race in mind.

The Gerry Skelton Memorial Cup should see ALNASKRA, RIO INFINITO, PASSA PASSA, DANCING SAM, CIRCLE DROME and possibly MINISTEROFFINANCE in contention when the eight horses gallop towards the furlong pole.

As far as winning is concerned, however, the one to beat must surely be the speedy ALNASKRA, with leading jockey Trevor Simpson riding for trainer Richard Azan.

The three-year-old colt by AL's River Cat out of Lil Naskra led under pressure in a hotly contested round five race on July 21, but in the end failed to stave off the fast-finishing COMMANDING LIGHT and was beaten a length.

Reporting even better trained for this race, ALNASKRA must have a grand chance of going one better. He turned heads at exercise on Monday morning, galloping from the gate in 1:00.0, the first four in 46.3, and is very fit.

CIRCLE DROME, who had him behind when finishing second to UNKNOWN VARIABLE over 1200 metres on July 7, must have a real chance even with the trip reduced, while PASSA PASSA who was caught close home by a fast-finishing HOOKEDONJAZZ over 1500 metres last Saturday, will not be inconvenienced by this quick sprint and with Dane Nelson riding in fine form, the hint should be taken.

The Gary Subratie-trained 3-y-o filly RIO INFINITO has shown marked improvement and was not disgraced when finishing 3-1/2 lengths fourth in the race won by COMMANDING LIGHT. She should relish the distance and along with DANCING SAM, who was a beaten favourite in the same race (finishing sixth), should ensure that my selection, ALNASKRA, does not have things too easily.

Other firm fancies on the card are ABOUNDING GRACE to go all the way in the first race, ALL FIRED UP in the third, NUFF RESPECT in the seventh and SAID I SAID (regaining form) ahead of the course specialist KAZ HO ME in the ninth and final.