By Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer
VOODOO CHANT is driven out by Larris Allen to hold off MEANT TO BE (second right) and COURT CASE (third right) in the Gerry Skelton Memorial Trophy race over 1100 metres at Caymanas Park last Saturday. - Michael Sloley /Freelance Photographer
TOMORROW'S RACING Pools game is boosted by a $174,000 carryover and with sales expected to be the best for some time, a first prize in excess of $400,000 looks a real possibility.
The programme kicks off with a knotty looking 1100 metre race in which five of the nine starters have won in recent weeks. They are the speedy pair of PRINCESS TALIA PERSONAL NEMESIS, along with BIG BELLY SAM, LITTLE PALIUM and of course, POLISH STAR who failed in her bid for the hat-trick last Saturday when beaten by MR. EDMUNDO on a $120,000 tag.
Any of the five is capable of winning, but chances are victory could go to a horse outside that group, a horse like AUGUS MAWNIN or SALSA who has been a model of consistency.
SALSA, to be ridden by new apprentice Kemar Lynch, failed by half a length to catch PRINCESS TALIA over the round five course when last raced on November 2 and with the scales in her favour by virtue of the rider's 4.0kg claiming allowance, SALSA should upset calculations from her convenient mark of 50.0kg. PERSONAL NEMESIS and PRINCESS TALIA are twin dangers in a race where two horses or more should be used.
Next on the programme is a 2-y-o maiden race over 1300 metres to be contested by 10 starters. The leading jockey and trainer combination of Trevor Simpson and Wayne DaCosta could provide the favourite in the chestnut filly RISING STAR who was not disgraced (fourth) behind JERICHO in the Abbie Grannum Memorial Cup over 1400 metres last Saturday when ridden by Charlton Riley.
RISING STAR had earlier finished fast into third place behind SUPER LEI over 1100 metres on her November 15 debut and should be cherry ripe for today's encounter.
However, she will have to cope with two highly thought of debutantes - INCORPORATE, a chestnut filly by America's Pal out of Regina Savage from the stables of Desmond Shand and the Philip Feanny-trained REAL RISK, a bay colt by Pat N Jac out of Fontainbleu which makes him a half brother to this year's Triple Crown winner, SIMPLY MAGIC.
Both have pleased in their preparation, but I like INCORPORATE to win from REAL RISK, RISING STAR and NAUGHTY BY NATURE who like RISING STAR was behind JERICHO last Saturday.
SEXY, a disappointing favourite behind CLASSY TANYA last Saturday in the Trainers' Association Trophy at 1200 metres, could well rebound in the third race over 1500 metres, despite the presence of AMANDA'S GOLD (2nd), INSATIABLE (3rd) and LADY BANGADESH (4th) all of whom were ahead of her in that race.
Trained by Philip Feanny, SEXY will not only welcome the longer distance but has come down 3.5kg in the weights while AMANDA'S GOLD has gone up 3.5kg, INSATIABLE up 1.0kg and LADY BANGADESH (who will relish the extra 300 metres) up 1.5kg. SEXY, with Kenyatta Davis now slated, deserves another chance in my book.
CLASSIC ACCOUNT, who just failed to stave off MATANAH over 1300 metres last Saturday, is confidently expected to go one better at the expense of MAN OF STAR, MAHONGANY and RAJMIR in the fourth race over 1500 metres.
Trevor Simpson, who is down to ride CLASSIC ACCOUNT, should move on the heels of George HoSang's long-standing seasonal record in the next race where he partners STARFROMTHEEAST, who proved competitive (third) behind PAPPARAZZI over 1400 metres on Wednesday. STARFROMTHEEAST is at home in this sprint and should lead home MACCA and GOLD TURQ.
The last three races should be won by MEANT TO BE (much improved) who was a fast-finishing second to VOODOO CHANT last Saturday, XTRA SPECIAL (the speed horse) in the 7th and Saturday's scorer CHOCOLATE SLEW (can figure in this tougher spot) over SOUTHERN DANCER and POINT GUARD in the closing straight five race.
