DIRECTIONAL SIGN, one of three winners for jockey Shane Ellis, wins the seventh race at Caymanas Park on Wednesday.
TOMORROW'S Racing Pools kicks off with a straight five claiming race in which the recent course winner FATHER ANTHONY and the runner-up MUTUAL AGREEMENT should have a battle royal for top honours.
FATHER ANTHONY made all from a bad draw to beat MUTUAL AGREEMENT by 2 1/4 lengths over the course on June 24, a race in which DR. PEPPER finished 6 1/2 lengths third and subsequent winner CHIKINEY 12 lengths sixth.
All renew rivalry for tomorrow's race, but FATHER ANTHONY was so impressive in victory that he is tipped to repeat even on worse terms at the weights.
MUTUAL AGREEMENT, who is no better off with FATHER ANTHONY at the weights, both having picked up 4.0kg, now has the services of champion jockey Andrew Ramgeet (replacing apprentice Kerry Perry) and will make a real fight of it.
Next on the programme is a Restricted Allowance IV (non winners of three) to be contested by six starters. Included in the line up are IRREVERSIBLE who finished in a 1100 metres race won by NORAN BATMAN last Saturday, the fourth horse ROYAL PROSPECTOR and OLD HARBOUR who finished last of the 10 runners in the same race. While the performance of OLD HARBOUR is best overlooked, I still feel IRREVERSIBLE and ROYAL PROSPECTOR will have his measure going this far (1500 metres). SILVER CURRENCY, who has good pace, ran well behind MISS GOTHAN CITY over 1200 metres on July 1 to be conceded a sound chance over this longer trip, but I like IRREVERSIBLE whose last victory was recorded over this trip.
Race number three for $90,000 claimers should see BRAVE DANCER, MAGIC DANCER, HIGH FIVE, FLYING CEILO, DANCING PRINCESS and DANCING FOLLY in contention at the end.
BRAVE DANCER, who will more than likely start favourite, was a beaten favourite over 1200 metres on July 8 when finishing third to RUNNING CHASE and TWENTYFOUR SEVEN. He made most to enter the last furlong 1 1/2 lengths clear, but gave way in the last 100 metres to the fast-finishing pair of RUNNING CHASE and TWENTYFOUR SEVEN, eventually finishing lame.
Back in good condition, BRAVE DANCER should stave off Wednesday's course winner MAGIC DANCER in this 1100 metres contest. DANCING FOLLY, having won decisively over the round five course on July 1, should also enter the reckoning.
SALSA, who has been knocking at the door, should come into his own and win the fourth race for maiden three-year-olds, a race in which the well advanced debutant RESTLESS RHYTHM, LADY BALLARI, SILVER JOY and GRAND BAZAAR should ensure stiff opposition.
THE GUSHER looks the one to beat in the fifth race after failing by a neck to stave off GENERAL TUZ over 1500 metres on July 5. Prior to that he finished second to CELEBRITY and with trainer Alric Levy really getting among the winners of late, THE GUSHER should oblige at the expense of SLEW'S LEGEND, MR. LASEEF and CAPTAIN COMEBACK, all fit contenders.
The last three races should be won by KARLENE (right distance), recent winner PRINCE ADAM (having settled down) and CELEBRITY (equal to the task) in the closing race. Their respective dangers are bold front runner CHATTANOOGA STAR in the 6th, INGENIUS in the 7th and front running CE BON CE BON in the closing race.
By Orville Clarke,
Freelance Writer
