Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer
Vin Edwards (left), president of the Jamaica Racehorse Trainers' Association, presents a commemorative award to 'Hall of Fame' trainer Sydney Watson, who was among three trainers honoured by the association at its annual raceday last Saturday at Caymanas Park. The others were Allan 'Billy' Williams and L.C. Todd. - IAN ALLEN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
NINE NATIVE bred maiden two-year-olds are slated to contest today's principal feature for the Andrew H.B. Aguilar Memorial Cup over 1600 metres at Caymanas Park and indications are it will provide THE SMOKER with an easy victory.
The well-supported 11-race programme is graced by two other trophy races. These are the $200,000-$170,000 claiming race for the Violet Armond Memorial Cup over 1600 metres and the restricted allowance IV (non-winners of three) for the George Headley Jr. Memorial Cup over 1400 metres.
Trained by Noel Ennevor, THE SMOKER showed promise on his October 26 debut when finishing second to the classy gelding RAMPAGE in a fast-run 1400-metre race. He actually disputed the lead with RAMPAGE passing the half-mile before he was left behind to finish well clear of the third horse.
However, THE SMOKER'S time final of 1:27.2 was pretty good and now better for the experience, the Smokehouse Sam-Lady Diana offspring looks the right choice. He has worked well in preparation for this race and should lead home DIGITEC and GETAWAY BOY. Former champion apprentice Kenyatta Davis has the ride.
VIOLET ARMOND MEMORIAL CUP
RED GENERAL, who was not beaten far by NO TEAR over 1500 metres recently, should come into his own and win the Violet Armond Memorial Cup ahead of SHOWDOWN, who finished heads on with him for third and fourth places, beaten
41/2 lengths. Also expected to run well in the 10-strong field is CRIMSON MAGIC who, like the Richie Todd-trained RED GENERAL, is down in class.
The sparingly raced FUSILIER, having pleased at exercise following a near 12-month absence, should pack too many guns for his nine opponents in the George Headley Jr. Memorial Cup, in which RELOAD and the free running pair of RED-1 and ROBICON should provide worthwhile opposition.
WON TWICE
Trained by Ennevor FUSI-LIER, who has won twice from only four career starts, has been administrated Lasix for the first time, and on past performances will not be easily denied from the convenient mark of 54.0kg. Davis has the ride. RELOAD, the mount of champion jockey Trevor Simpson, looks second best.
Other firm fancies on the card are RIO BUENO in the first race, BULLSEYE in the 7th, JACK EM UP over MUSTANG and the badly drawn YAHABIBI in the 7th race over the straight five course, and AMANDA'S GOLD over MYBLUBELLE and SAID I SAID I in the knotty closing race over 1400 metres to be contested by the maximum 16 starters.
