Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer

RACE NO. 4 in the CTL Claiming Series over 1500 metres takes the spotlight at Caymanas Park today with eight down to face the starter.

Among them are the recent winner FAST FLYER and back-to-form SONNY 'B' GOOD, the two expected to fight out the finish. Both have the best form to recommend and it promises to be close between them.

The Don McKenzie-trained FAST FLYER is coming off an easy victory over 1600 metres on April 16 when slamming the highly fancied pair of MAMBO and RIZZI LEE by five lengths on a $210,000 claiming tag.

Before that, on March 24, she stayed on well for third, beaten 5 3/4 lengths by MAN OF HONOUR in Race No. 3 of the series over 1200 metres.

An improving sort, FAST FLYER reports in good nick and with the distance just perfect, the 4-y-o filly by Royal Minister out of Oriental Flyer must have a grand chance of repeating with the very useful non-claiming apprentice Javour Simpson aboard.

SONNY 'B' GOOD, however, should ensure it goes down to the wire, even though without a victory for the better part of two years.

Having finished second in his last two races, the six-year-old chestnut gelding by Footloose II out of Secreloniat seems focused and could score a long-overdue win.

Easy winner

SONNY 'B' GOOD finished a clear second to easy winner MOST WANTED in a fast-run 1200-metre race when last raced on April 12, this on a $170,000 claiming tag. And, before that (March 29), he signalled his return to competitive shape by chasing home runaway winner TANTESOLDE over 1100 metres again on a $170,000 tag.

Although his chances are sound on the strength of those performances, SONNY 'B' GOOD is up against a horse - FAST FLYER - who last won on a $210,000 claiming tag. This should tilt the balance in favour of FAST FLYER. Significantly, SONNY 'B' GOOD is down to be ridden by Larris Allen, who returns from a near six-month suspension fit and raring to go.

Good second

Other firm fancies on the 10-race programme, which commences at 1:00 p.m., are EVANDER to romp the opening race over 1820 metres, his prep for the upcoming Governor's Cup (Lotto Classic); FLAGAMAN (working well) to stave off MY BLUE-EYED BOY in the fourth, SECRET HIDEAWAY to catch HI-TECH, FULL SPECTRUM and SMILE OUT in the knotty fifth race over 1200 metres, and CRUCIAL POINT in the ninth for open allowance horses following his good second to MEDICAL REPORT in the Lady Geeta Trophy last Saturday.