By Orville Clarke , Freelance WriterTHE MINISTER, having won two of his past four races at long odds, is expected to resume winning ways in today's Caymanas Park feature for the Zaleucus Trophy (Open Allowance) over 1800 metres, to be contested by six starters.
Also on the nine-race programme which commences at 2:00 p.m. is the Restricted Allowance V for the Henry George Harrison Sr. Memorial Cup over 1300 metres in which a large field of 15 has been declared.
The latter race, confined to non-winners of two, should resolve itself into a three-way tussle among JERICHO (Ameth Robles), SIR CHACHA BABA (Trevor Simpson) and EL BEAU (Shane Ellis).
My idea of the winner is JERICHO who has beaten better in the not-too-distant past. True, the 4-y-o gelding from the stables of eight-time champion trainer Kenneth Mattis failed to justify favouritism over the circular nine course on June 12 when failing by a nose to stave off ASYNJUR.
However, returning somewhat fitter and the more bustling jockey Ameth Robles replacing Shane Ellis, JERICHO should make no mistake over the shorter distance.
The Vin Edwards-trained SIR CHACHA BABA should benefit from the stronger handling of Simpson and will be coming to run, especially with champion jockey Trevor Simpson replacing the apprentice Oneil Mullings. Providing he is alert at the start, the consistent 4-y-o gelding should go close. EL BEAU, after chasing home LOGICS in a 1200-metre race on last, is fit enough to complete the first three, with STRIKING LIGHTNING and MOONLIGHT DANCER closing out the Hi-Five.
LOOKS TAILORED
Turning to the feature race for the Zaleucus Trophy, this looks tailored for THE MINISTER who has won two of his past four races in good class company.
The first of these was on April 17 when running at long odds of 29-1, sprinted well clear of the subsequent winner JOHNNY'S KING and then favourite PITTACUS to win the Ambassador's Trophy Open Allowance over 1700 metres.
Despite that easy victory, THE MINISTER came back to win at odds of 12-1 on May 15, beating subsequent winner GOOD COMPANY and BLACK THATCH by a length over 1500 metres.
When last raced on May 22, the 4-y-o son of Royal Minister was a fast-finishing third (outpaced) to JOHNNY'S KING in a one-mile trophy race and despite the presence of BLACK THATCH, SATISFIER and back to form METEOR MAN, has come on so strongly that he will prove hard to beat over what is an ideal trip for him.
In-form Charles Hussey will ride THE MINISTER for trainer Anthony 'Baba' Nunes.
Elsewhere on the programme, AFFIRMATION, who is without a victory in seven starts this season, looks hard to oppose in the eighth race for $260,000-$220,000 claimers over 1100 metres.
The 5-y-o gelding from the stables of Richie Todd steps down in class after finishing a close third to RED BOOTLACES and BOUND FOR GLORY over 1200 metres in better company on May 29 and with both coming back to win subsequent races, speaks volumes for the chances of AFFIRMATION in this watered down field of seven. Champion jockey Trevor Simpson has the ride.
I also like LORD LOUIS to win the second race for maidens at the expense of FINDLAY'S GOLD, DRAMATICS to upstage the recent winners PLEASANT WOOD and STRAIGHTTOHEHEART in the fourth, BRINGBACKDIMONEY (little to beat) in the fifth and SIR ABBAS MANGAL (stepping down) over VOICE MAIL, CONSCIOUS APPROACH and MINISTER ON WHEELS in the closing $140,000 conditional claiming over 1500 metres to be contested by 15 starters.
