FOLLOWING his brave effort in the November 11 Red Stripe Superstakes when beating all but MENUDO, PROCEEDACCORDINGLY is confidently expected to go one better when he contests the Sir George Seymour Seymour Memorial Cup feature over 1400 metres at Caymanas Park today.
Secondary feature on the 11-race programme is the $250,000-$230,000 claiming for the Solomon Ziadie Memorial Cup to be contested by eight horses over 1500 metres in which STAGETOWER, ELRAY, QUEEN OF BEL-AIR and MAHENDRA EXPRESS should have a keen battle for top honours in the field of eight.
In the Sir George Seymour Seymour Memorial, the Jose Pinchin-trained PROCEEDACCORDINGLY is up against five opponents including MEDICAL KARAMBA and BISTRO, both of whom were well behind him in the Superstakes.
Also vying for top honours is the Ken Mattis-trained filly SPEED FREAK, who beat a good field over the distance in the Jockey Club Stakes on August 19 but subsequently finished third to BLACK AMERICAN after a troubled run in the Distaff on 'Superday'.
PROCEEDACCORDINGLY ran the race of his life in the Superstakes. The four-year-old son of The Medic - Proceed chased long-time leader BRINGDIMONEYCOME for the first mile, then kept on strongly for second in the prestigious Invitational race, despite the fact jockey Trevor Simpson lost his whip approaching the distance.
Now back to good form, it will take a brave punter to oppose him from the convenient mark of 51kg.
True, he has been beaten by MEDICAL KARAMBA and BISTRO in separate races in recent months. But PROCEEDACCORDINGLY is a different horse now, as his Superstakes performance would attest.
I am expecting him to track the fleet-footed sprinter ELEGANT STAR for the first half mile before going about his business approaching the home turn and win decisively. MEDICAL KARAMBA looks best equipped to chase him home.
Back to form ELRAY is tipped to win the supporting feature for the Solomon Ziadie Memorial Cup over 1500 metres, despite reporting under new management. The five-year-old gelding, who once stepped with the best horses in training, has declined over the past year but judging from the manner in which he disposed of rivals on a $190,000 tag last time out, can definitely repeat even in this tougher spot.
Bold frontrunner STAGETOWER will be gunning to make all under in-form apprentice Ramon Parish, while QUEEN OF BEL-AIR has been knocking at the door in recent races. But they both have the Gary Crawford-trained ELRAY to beat.
I also like L.S.C. CHOICE to romp the first race, thus setting up a good day for Simpson who has secured some live rides. BLOOR AND BAY, who finished fourth to GAILY DECORATED in the recent Red Stripe Mile, should win the seventh despite the presence of Triple Crown winner I'MSATISFIED, while it should be FANTASTIC SLEW in the eighth and HERECOMESTHEJUDGE in the 11th.
By Orville Clarke
Freelance Writer
