By Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer
Winston Griffiths... rides
SPIRIT OF JAMAICA.
SEVEN HORSES are down to contest today's Caymanas Park feature for the Gladiator Trophy, a Starter Handicap I and II for three-year-olds and up over 1400 metres.
Included in the line-up is the speedy American bred 3-y-o filly SPIRIT OF JAMAICA, who is expected to rebound from her recent defeat (third) to METEOR MAN in the valuable Red Stripe Mile on November 9.
Prior to that, the Philip Feanny-trained SPIRIT OF JAMAICA won three consecutive races on the trot, including a 12-length whipping of PEACE ON LOVE (who re-opposes on better terms) in a fast run 1500-metre race on October 12.
SPIRIT OF JAMAICA has moved brilliantly at exercise since the Red Stripe Mile, galloping five furlongs in 59.2 last Friday morning and before that 34.2 for three furlongs on November 16.
With her preparation complete, SPIRIT OF JAMAICA should set off in front and make every post a winning one, despite top weight of 57 kg.
While the classy SPIRIT OF JAMAICA looks the one to beat, a good case can be put across for DR. R.S.F. who actually had her behind when chasing home METEOR MAN in the Red Stripe Mile.
Prominently placed in third as SPIRIT OF JAMAICA led under pressure from METEOR MAN in fast splits, DR. R.S.F. stayed on well in the last furlong to relegate SPIRIT OF JAMAICA to third, another two lengths behind.
The American bred 6-y-o horse, from the stables of Barrington Rambally, has caught the eye at exercise since and, in present frame of mind, should make a good race of it.
Others such as the top-line 3-y-o gelding SIR DONALD and PEACE AND LOVE could prove competitive, but as far as winning is concerned, their jobs look cut out against SPIRIT OF JAMAICA, who now has a more accomplished rider in leading all-time jockey Winston Griffiths.
I am expecting SPIRIT OF JAMAICA to use her superior speed to full advantage and make all.
Other firm fancies on the card are ROYAL LADY (fits in well against rivals) to lead home VIENTO, THUNDERFORCE and LADY HOWELL in the knotty second race, TIGERINTHEWOODS (ready, enjoys straight) to upstage KING'S HIGHWAY in the third, STILL A KING (little to beat) in the fourth for maiden four-year-olds and up, RAPIDASH (stepping down, loves distance) over RAJMIR in the fifth over the circular nine course and XTRA SPECIAL (speedy, loves straight) in the eighth.
