Griffiths... rides RAKKADASHOrville Clarke, Freelance Writer
THE annual renewal of the 3-y-o and up Starter Handicap 1 & II for the Melvin "Babu" Chin Memorial Trophy over 1200 metres is the feature event at Caymanas Park today, but the programme comprising 10 local races will facilitate simulcasting on all eight Breeders' Cup races from Chicago's Arlington Park in the United States.
If that wasn't enough, there will be a Celebrity Walkstackle on which win only betting will be conducted. This will take place between the sixth and seventh races at approximately 3:25 p.m. and some of the participants include World Junior 200 metres champion Usain Bolt, Olympians Juliet Cuthbert, George Kerr and Neville Myton who won last year, top junior athlete Simone Facey as well as broadcasters Debbie Tyson, Rohan Daley and Owen James, not to mention comedian Michael London of Boysie fame.
Eight starters have been declared for the Melvin "Babu" Chin Trophy, run in memory of a former champion owner and breeder who was also co-founder of Track Price Plus Limited. The trophy was donated several years ago by his family to perpetuate his memory and the race offers an increased purse of $370,000.
Among the starters is RAKKADASH, who recently equalled Eros' long-standing straight five record of 56.3 in winning the G.A. "Sarge" Bucknor Memorial Cup Trophy in fine style.
The Philip Feanny trained 4-y-o gelding came back with another fast time victory (1:05.4) on Heroes Day, snapping the winning streak of CAPTAIN BLIGH over 1100 metres. He will again have the services of leading all-time jockey Winston Griffiths.
RAKKADASH, who is on course for the November 9 Red Stripe Caribbean Sprint over today's trip, continues to please at exercise and although facing more formidable opponents, has never been better and should prove hard to deny in present frame of mind.
He can expect stiff opposition from the Wayne DaCosta-trained trio of GOINGTOKANSASCITY, THE SANDMAN and KING AL.
All of the above should ensure a competitive race, none moreso than GOINGTOKANSASCITY (Trevor Simpson up) who just doesn't know how to run a bad race.
The four-year-old gelding underlined his well being last Saturday when finishing 3 1/2 lengths third to top sprinter I'MSATISFIED in the fast run None-Such Sprint over the distance. His personal time of 1:12.1 makes him a dangerous opponent with no I'MSATISFIED around, despite topweight of 57.0kg.
Other firm fancies on the card are RESTLESS RUFFLE (gets ideal trip now) to upstage RUM CAKE and SUNDAY EXPRESS in the 2nd race over the circular nine course, the late kicking RAPIDASH (favoured by weight conditions) to catch EMPERADOR in the 4th, the 2-y-o debutant FLYING TIGER in the 5th, HAPHAZARD to stave off IDITAROD and recent winner QUICK MEDIC in the 6th, AWESOME MINISTER (boasts superior speed) to make all ahead of OAKRIDGE and SELENA MYSTIQUE in the 8th and recent winners NUCLEAR POWER and POLISH STAR in the 8th and 10th races respectively.
