Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer
The 6-5 favourite REX TIPOU (left) is brought with a storming late run by jockey Charles Hussey to catch and beat long-time leader COLLEGE BOY (third right) ridden by Ameth Robles in the closing stages of the ninth race over the straight five course at Caymanas Park last Saturday. REX TIPOU is owned by Ruth Hussey and trained by her son, Percy. - Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer
OUTSTANDING bids for her seventh win from nine career starts when she takes on six opponents in the 3-y-o and up open allowance race for the St Catherine Cup over 1100 metres at Caymanas Park today.
Owned and bred by Roylton D'Cambre and trained by veteran 'Hall of Famer' Allan 'Billy' Williams, the brilliant four-year-old filly by Law Of The Sea out of Tropical Magic impressed last Saturday when scoring by 2-1/2 lengths over the straight five course, covering the distance in the smart time of 0:57.2 behind blistering splits of 22.0 and 44.3.
Although not the best away she recovered quickly to dispute the lead with EXPLOSIVE PEAK before quickening and leaving the quarter pole to win decisively from EXPLOSIVE PEAK and BULLET TRAIN heads on.
Interestingly, both renew their rivalry on better terms today, as does NASATOL who finished 6-1/2 lengths fourth.
The Peter McMaster-trained EXPLOSIVE PEAK is likely to prove the most dangerous in this quick sprint as it was the speedy American filly who matched strides with OUTSTANDING for half of last Saturday's race. It should be recalled, however, that OUTSTANDING had her behind not only a week ago, but on December 29 in the Pringle Cup over today's trip as well.
woefully unlucky
On that occasion, OUTSTANDING was woefully unlucky to be beaten by a neck by the 2006 Caribbean Sprint champion RAMPAGE, having reared at the start thus losing ground. She came back strongly over the last furlong, but her effort proved a trifle late.
Having advertised her well-being in no uncertain fashion last Saturday, OUTSTANDING, des-pite the swing in weight with both EXPLOSIVE PEAK and BULLET TRAIN, will not be easily denied in her present frame of mind.
Back-to-form 2.0kg claiming apprentice Jason Simpson again rides OUTSTANDING, who is by no means harshly treated with 53.0kg. She should win from EXPLOSIVE PEAK, BULLET TRAIN and NASATOL, a rerun of last Saturday's race.
Other firm fancies on the nine-race programme are COMMON D to resume winning ways in the opening race over 1300 metres for $170,000 claimers, consistent RIGGED TO WIN ahead of SUMMER PRINCESS in the fifth over 1200 metres, recent winner SMOOTH DUDE to repeat at the expense of FIDDLE STICKS in the sixth over 1820 metres, LADY RAKWALAAY in the seventh, well-prepared WHEEL N DEAL (Lasix administered) over FIRST TIME LUCKY and first-time runner THE REBEL in the closing Mercury Sprint for native bred maiden three-year-old colts and geldings over the straight five course in which 11 have been declared.
