By Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer
MILLIMETRE AGAIN: The Philip Feanny trained MILLIMETRE (Winston Griffiths) completed a hat-trick of wins at Caymanas Park Last Saturday in the Bonnie Blue Flag Trophy over the circular nine course, becoming the third horse to top the $10m mark in stakes earnings behind WAR ZONE and MENUDO. - Michael Sloley /Freelance Photographer
HORSES FROM the $200,000 - $180,000 claiming spread are slated to contest today's Caymanas Park feature for the Birnamwood Trophy, this over 1300 metres.
With 11 declared, the main hopefuls are ROYAL EXPEDITION and AIN'T JOKING, both of whom should have a keen tussle for favouritism under title chasing jockeys Clive Lynch and Wesley Henry, as well as VISIONARY, QUEEN HILL, MAHENDRA EXPRESS and GUARDIAN ANGEL.
The Tony Kirlew-trained AIN'T JOKING will have a lot of backers despite not having won a race since August of last year. It is significant to note, however, that AIN'T JOKING scored that win over today's distance, covering the distance in the fairly good time of 1:20.3.
It would appear that AIN'T JOKING is best suited to this trip. Her last two races were actually over same, finishing a close fourth to CASTAGNA March 19 on a $250,000 claiming tag and coming back with an unplaced behind YOUNG FOR ALL in a restricted allowance race.
Having lowered her sights for a crack at this trophy, AIN'T JOKING, who returns without her customary blinkers, will only go down fighting. She has good speed and although other fleet-footed types such as VISIONARY, KING'S HIGHWAY and FOREST FRESH will keep her honest into the straight, should still hang tough in the skilful hands of "Callaloo" Henry from her convenient mark of 52.0kg.
VISIONARY, to be ridden by 3.0kg claiming apprentice Oneil Mullings for promising trainer Dalton Lawrence, advertised his well being when chasing home super fit PAY PER VIEW over the round five course on April 15 and on past performances can definitely enter the reckoning.
MAHENDRA EXPRESS, on the other hand, will not find the distance too sharp and with the figure eight now fitted, could return with a bang. And GUARDIAN ANGEL is light enough to be taken seriously with the trip seemingly perfect.
Despite all that, the one best equipped to take home the trophy is ROYAL EXPEDITION who was a good winner over 1200 metres at this level on April 5 when leading home CLASSY TANYA by 2 1/2 lengths.
Prior to that he got up in the nick of time to catch and beat YOUNG SUMMER by a nose also over 1200 metres.
It is interesting that on meeting YOUNG SUMMER a fortnight later he beat her by 7 1/2 lengths. On that occasion, ROYAL EXPEDITION was administered Lasix for the first time.
By no means disgraced behind AKIODA in his subsequent race, ROYAL EXPEDITION not only steps down to vie for this trophy but will run on Lasix for the third time as well.
Having being kept on the move at exercise, the Royal Minister - Later Crusader offspring will not go down easily even though high in the weights with 56.0kg.
I am expecting him to race just off the early pace before mowing down the leaders in the closing stages.
Other firm fancies on the card are the front running SAMMY MY GIRL to stave off SWEET JADE in the second race, SQUARE GARDEN who has looked progressive at exercise since the recent change of stables, to catch JERICHO in the 3rd, AFFIRMATION (5th race) now dropped in class after catching the eye behind PUREJOY in overnight company last Saturday, to tag the fleet-footed STRAIGHT SIXK and SAINT COLUMBA, and bang in form SPIRIT OF JAMAICA to complete a hat-trick of wins in the 7th.
