Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer
BATTLEOX (No. 2) looks the one to beat in today's feature at Caymanas Park, the Ash Wednesday Trophy. In the saddle will be co-leading jockey Wesley Henry. - FILE
THE OVERNIGHT allowance race for the Ash Wednesday Trophy over 1300 metres is today's holiday feature at Caymanas Park, this attracting nine starters.
The race is being sponsored by Super People Janitorial Services for the third consecutive year and offers a total purse of $490,000.
With several of the runners showing good form, the Ash Wednesday Trophy should provide keen competition with DON LIMPIO, MINISTEROFFINANCE, BATTLEOX, ZICKWARTY, SPANISH SECRETS and SENOR GATO all expected to figure prominently.
MINISTEROFFINANCE should come in for a lot of support following his strong second to the talented QUIET STRENGTH over 1100 metres last Wednesday, as he is fit as hands can make him.
The five-year-old gelding from the stables of Glenville Morrissey won decisively over today's trip on January 16, covering the distance in the fairly good time of 1:19:2 in leading home SPANISH SECRETS by 1 1/2 lengths under top weight of 57kg.
Although having to carry 57kg once again, this will not deter MINISTEROFFINANCE who should go well in the experienced hands of leading all-time jockey Winston Griffiths.
The Gary Subratie-trained SPANISH SECRETS is also in with a shot on the basis of her January 14 performance over the distance, as she renews her rivalry with MINISTEROFFINANCE on 3.5kg better terms.
Both SENOR GATOR and ZICK-WARTY will have their share of supporters in a race of the nature. The American colt SENOR GATO finished third to QUIET STRENGTH recently and is definitely regaining form. And the fleet-footed ZICKWARTY represents the genuine speed horse in the line-up and will have to be caught.
While respecting the chances of SENOR GATOR and MINISTEROFFINANCE, the one best equipped to pull it off is BATTLEOX, to be ridden by co-leading jockey Wesley 'Callaloo' Henry for owner/trainer Richard Azan.
PREPARATION
BATTLEOX has worked well in preparation for this trophy, galloping 5 1/2 furlongs in a smart 1:07.0 last week Thursday, the first five in 1:01.0.
When last raced over the round five course on February 11, he finished 6 1/2 lengths sixth to MUSICAL MAESTRO after missing the break, but that performance can be overlooked as the trip was too sharp. Prior to that he was beaten four lengths fourth by QUIET STRENGTH over 1100 metres when having his first outing in more than six months.
Reporting cherry ripe today and the trip now suitable, BATTLEOX will prove hard to beat from the convenient mark of 53kg.
Other firm fancies on the card are RIZZI LEE, now back among high claimers, to make all in the second race, MYTHICAL PEGASUS to catch old rival CHIEF COUNCILLOR in the fourth for maiden three-year-olds, CRIMSON MAGIC in the fifth, TIGERINTHEWOODS to repeat in the seventh and MARINERO to lead home the debutante FREE LANCE in the eighth.
