Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer

SPACESAVER, running as the 3-2 favourite with apprentice Javor Simpson aboard, wins the seventh race over 1200 metres by three lengths at Caymanas Park on Wednesday. The three-year-old gelding was saddled by Enos Brown. - Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer

TODAY's pre-Xmas race meet at Caymanas Park offers two trophy races, among them the $380,000-$330,000 claiming race for the Paul Newman Memorial Trophy over 1600 metres.

In addition, the 11-race programme features the sixth and final race in the second CTL Claiming Series ($210,000 and less) over 1500 metres, in which seven starters have been declared, including ante-post favourite SANTA ANITA GIRL with champion jockey-designate Omar Walker riding for trainer Robert Darby Sr.

The Paul Newman Trophy, in memory of the '70s trainer, has attracted six starters, among them the very fit REGAL SERENADE who has won two of his last three races, the more recent over 1300 metres on December 12 on a $315,000 claiming tag.

The five-year-old horse was claimed out of that race by first-season trainer Gary Griffiths and is up in class as well. Despite this, REGAL SERENADE is one of the fittest in the line-up an facing a sterner test, should bring fitness into play and make a brave bid with in-form Dane Nelson aboard.

Trevor Simpson's mount ALL FIRED UP showed little on a $460,000 tag when last raced on November 3, but is stepping down to vie for this trophy and should prove a tough opponent in this small field.

The five-year-old mare from the stables of Patrick Chang won his last race over this trip on a $420,000 tag on August 11 an beaten in three subsequent races, has the capacity to rebound under five-time champion Simpson.

ABENG, who recently changed stables, represents the speed horse in the line-up and will have to be caught. The four-year-old gelding from the stables of Ralph Porter was soundly beaten in his two most recent races, but this represents an easier assignment and from a clean break, could go all the way.

Others to watch

ABENG, however, should be tracked by OLE KING COLE from early and I am expecting the latter to have his measure, and the others as well, up the lane.

OLE KING COLE has been running consistently well an beaten into second place by REGAL SERENADE when they last met over 1500 metres on November 17, was not disgraced in two subsequent races and with the visor removed, can reverse the placings with his old rival on more favourable terms.

Having finished a fair sixth to BABY RENEE over 1100 metres last Saturday, the Leroy Fearon-trained OLE KING COLE should welcome this milder pace and is back with a grand chance of lifting this trophy from the convenient mark of 53.0kg and Canadian-based Jamaican rider Kirk Johnson aboard.

I am expecting him to chase ABENG into the straight, before gaining the ascendancy in the last furlong.

Other firm fancies on the card are SANTA ANITA GIRL over THUNDER CLAP in the CTL Claiming Series, WHEELS OF LAW to win the second race, MY TRAIN in the third, OUTFITHER in the seventh and DR. BADOO in the ninth.