Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer

The grey ALPHA LUPA is brought with a tremendous late run by jockey Paul Francis to catch and beat long-time leader EXPLOSIVE PEAK (Trevor Simpson) in the closing stages of the $1M CTL Imported Stakes over 1400 metres at Caymanas Park on Saturday. She was the 2-1 favourite. - Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer

Super fit BANJUHAR looks hard to oppose when he contests today's Caymanas Park feature race over 1600 metres for the Violet Armond Memorial Cup, claiming $260,000-$230,000.

The seven-year-old gelding by Pat N Jac-Alejandra ran on strongly to win over this trip on a $210,000 tag August 29, scoring by 3-1/4 lengths from SIMPLY AWESOME with MEDICAL ACCOUNT back in third. On that occasion he provided new trainer Winston Morris with his first career win.

By virtue of that victory, BANJUHAR was installed favourite to follow up over the circular nine course on September 15, but failed by a length to catch NIJINSKY'S WAR on a $260,000 claiming tag.

It should be pointed out that BANJUHAR was allowing NIJINSKY'S WAR all of 5.0kg that day and really lost nothing in defeat.

Back in action from the convenient mark of 52.0kg and in-form apprentice Carlton Malcolm aboard, BANJUHAR should prove too strong for his five opponents up the lane. He has beaten MEDICAL ACCOUNT, SANTA ANITA GIRL and ALLEGRO in recent races and none is expected to turn the tables on worse terms.

Ability to fight

Both LITTLE SNOW JOHN and ALI SPENDER have the ability to fight it out, especially the Robert Darby Sr.trained ALI SPENDER, who is stepping down in class to vie for this trophy.

Despite running poorly on a $295,000 tag behind the disqualified NUMERO UNO on Saturday, ALI SPENDER should appreciate this drop in class and based on his August 11 upset win over 1500 metres, he could prove the biggest danger to BANJUHAR.

Elsewhere on the nine-race programme FREE FALL, who has been a model of consistency, is tipped to chalk up his fourth win of the season when he takes on five opponents in the second race, the open allowance sprint in which six starters have been declared.

The four-year-old gelding from the stables of Robert Darby Sr. ran creditably (third) behind stable companion NASATOL over the straight five course when last raced on September 8 and prior to that failed by a length to beat the same horse in a hotly contested 1200-metre race on August 11.

On the strength of the last performance, FREE FALL will not be easily denied from his lenient mark of 47.0kg and Malcolm in the saddle. MEDICAL REPORT looks his principal danger.

Other firm fancies on the card are THUNDER STORM to go one better in the opening race over 1200 metres for native bred two-year-olds, MY TRAIN to do likewise in the third, MISS ATLANTIC STAR in the fifth, MELINDAGATA to catch MAKING DREAMS and PRINCESS SHELIA in the seventh and KERMIT in the closing race for bottom of the barrel claimers.