TOMORROW's Racing Pools game, which boasts a $105,000 carryover, will be highlighted by the RJR 50th Anniversary Classic to be contested by the maximum 16 starters over 1500 metres.
Nine maiden four-year-olds and up are slated for the first Pools race, the TVJ's Challenge Cup over the circular nine course. The main hopefuls are SHOPPING BAG, STARATHERCOMMAND, DEPUTYCOMMISSIONER, TRICKY SLICK and STOLENMOMENT.
DEPUTYCOMMISSIONER was beaten in a blanket finish by RAPTURE over 1400 metres on July 12, a race in which he finished heads on with the third horse STARATHERCOMMAND (closing) with STOLEN MOMENT finishing another four lengths adrift in fourth. At the revised weights, it should be awfully close between DEPUTYCOMMISSONER and STARATHERCOMMAND yet again. However, I believe both will fall victim to SHOPPING BAG who had both DEPUTYCOMMISSIONER and STARATHERCOMMAND behind in third and sixth places respectively when chasing home MAJESTIC LIGHT over a mile on July 5.
SPECIAL ENVOY, who just failed to make it five in a row when failing by a neck to catch WHITE GOLD over 1500 metres in Division I of the Craven 'A' Champs on July 15, should make amends in the second. The eight-year-old gelding, who now takes orders from Kevin Mattis, reports with a lot in his favour and should win from LABEEB, SLEW THEM RANNY and SIR MOHAN GOPAL.
MAXX TRAXX, who ran a blinder in defeat behind HIGH FIVE over a trip short of her best last Saturday, should go one better in the third race in which fit opponents THE GUSHER, COLONY BELLE, BUSTIN LOOSE, PRINCE AKEEM and the front running LAST DESIRE are not without chances. But MAXX TRAXX will be seen to better advantage over 1400 metres and should bring fitness into play and take the honours.
The fleet-footed PHOENIX SON was so impressive in victory last time out that it will take a smart performance from say, SILVER STREAK or RESTLESS PIRATE to stop him in the fourth, while it should be THE RHYTHM DOCTOR (fitter) over BOCCADOR and the speedy T.N.T. in the fifth over the straight five course.
Having chased home the useful DIRECTIONAL SIGN on July 19, the improving FRIENDLY EXPRESS should go one better in the sixth race for the Lester Spaulding Gold Cup, a race in which the lightly raced FRENCH BILL (who was behind him recently) and recent winners CHINUA and BINGO INFERNO are real dangers.
The seventh for the RJR 50th Anniversary Classic Trophy, has attracted the maximum 16 starters and what a race it promises to be, with most having good claims. They include PROCEEDACCORDINGLY, BISTRO, ZEEDON, ZIRCON, MIRANDA WARNING, BOLD & SOUL, CIELO MYSTIQUE, CHECK ME OUT and CASTAGNA.
PROCEEDACCORDINGLY beat BISTRO into second place when they met for the first time over a mile on June 24 and BISTRO had his revenge on July 12 when beating PROCEEDACCORDINGLY into ninth place over the circular nine course. PROCEEDACCORDINGLY is still burdened with topweight, but BISTRO by virtue of his last victory has risen appreciably in the scales and also carries 57.0kg.
While respecting the chances of PROCEEDACCORDINGLY, I believe victory will go to one of the lightweights - MIRANDA WARNING, CIELO MYSTIQUE, ZEEDON, ZIRCON, CASTAGNA. The one I like best is the American filly MIRANDA WARNING, who not only beat PROCEEDACCORDINGLY by 3 1/4 lengths when they last met over 1700 metres on May 10, but looks appealing at the weights with only 51.0kg. Then, take the speedy course specialist WILD TRAVELLER to beat MOA CHIEH, TRAFALGAR and TENNESSEE WALTZ.
By Orville Clarke,
Freelance Writer
