By Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer
EMPERADOR is eased by champion jockey Trevor Simpson as he cruises home by 7 1/2 lengths in the 10th race for the Paul Newman Memorial Trophy over 1600 metres at Caymanas Park last Saturday. Offering odds of 2-1, EMPERADOR enabled Simpson to finish the season with 112 winners. The 5-y-o bay gelding is trained by Richie Todd. - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer
A NEW racing season commences at Caymanas Park today with the promoters, Caymanas Track Limited (CTL) designating it "Fan Appreciation Day".
This is their way of saying thank you to punters for their support throughout the past year.
In keeping with the theme, the 3-y-o and up open allowance for the CTL Fan Appreciation Day Trophy over 2200 metres is the principal feature.
Also on the nine-race programme are the traditional New Year's Day Trophy (restricted allowance 1V) over 1300 metres for non-winners of three and the inaugural running of the McKay Security "Unity" Trophy for four-year-olds and up over the circular nine course.
Confined to horses in the claiming spread $170,000 - $145,000, the Mackay Security "Unity" race has attracted 12 starters, including the recent winners BOUND FOR GLORY, CONSCIOUS APPROACH and ASH JOE.
These, along with RAJMIR, GANADOR, BLITZKREIG and the course specialist FIASCO should ensure a highly competitive race.
As far as the New Year's Day Trophy is concerned, it will take a brave punter to oppose the unbeaten four-year-old gelding THE ADMIRAL who reports from a 3 1/2-month absence in good nick.
Trained by Owen Sharpe, the speedy son of Law Of The Sea - Radiance slammed subsequent winners REAL RISK and SHE'S A RANKING in a fast run one mile race when last seen on September 17 and prior to that showed SHE'S A RANKING and BADBOYBIN a clean pair of heels over 1200 metres, covering the distance in the smart time of 1:12.2.
Back in focus for this trophy, THE ADMIRAL with only 55.0kg and Ameth Robles aboard should win from ZAHBO and last year's Oaks winner NAUGHTY BY NATURE in a field of 10.
The CTL Fan Appreciation Day Trophy has attracted only six starters, including hat-trick seeker YOUNG FOR ALL, the recent JRC 31st Anniversary Trophy winner JOHNNY'S KING, THE MINISTER who was a close second in that race and PEACE & LOVE who failed by a nose to catch YOUNG FOR ALL over a mile on December 17.
At the revised weights, THE MINISTER who failed by a short head to beat JOHNNY'S KING is weighted to turn the tables on the game front runner, while the same is true of PEACE & LOVE over YOUNG FOR ALL who now has the services of an inexperienced apprentice.
By that process of elimination, it should come down to a straight fight between Percy Hussey's PEACE & LOVE and THE MINISTER from the in-form stables of Anthony "Baba" Nunes.
To many it would appear that THE MINISTER is too light with 47.0kg and powerful lightweight Robert Reid aboard. However, a closer examination of the form rivals that PEACE & LOVE is actually the class horse of the field and based on his two close seconds to YOUNG FOR ALL in recent weeks, should be able to give up in class THE MINISTER 7.0kg and a beating over this trip. Former champion jockey Charles Hussey again has the ride.
Meanwhile, I like the distance specialist FIASCO to upstage RAJMIR and recent winner BOUND FOR GLORY in the Mackay Security "Unity" Trophy race.
Trained by Steadman Curtis, the six-year-old gelding who won easily over the distance on November 8 at the expense of PARTING SHOT, is down to be ridden by smart apprentice Phillip Clunis from the convenient mark of 53.0kg.
Other firm fancies on the card are HI-JOE in the 3rd, VISIONARY in the 4th, STAR CREEK in the 7th and TIME AND AGAIN in the closing $140,000 claiming race.
