Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer
Passing the stands for the first time in last Saturday's St. Leger, Rampage (left), with Wesley Henry aboard, leads from the favourite Ransom Man (centre), under Brian Harding and the eventual winner Alliedforce (right), ridden by Paul Francis. The race was run over 2000 metres. - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer
ONLY SEVEN starters have been declared for today's Caymanas Park open allowance feature for the Owen Silvera Memorial Cup, but indications are that the consistent American filly SEATTLE'S GIRL will take a lot of beating.
A beaten favourite when finishing a close third to DON LIMPIO last time out, SEATTLE'S GIRL is poised to make amends as she was less than a length adrift in a blanket finish.
Trained by Dwight Chen for popular owner Howard Hamilton, SEATTLE'S GIRL would possibly have won had she not drifted wide at the home turn.
She had every chance when trying to rally widest of all leaving the furlong pole, but drifted out a bit under pressure and went down bravely by a NK x 1/2L to DON LIMPIO and the front running CHADMAN.
Five-time champion jockey Trevor Simpson, who rode her that day, is absent from the saddle today and connections have gone for champion jockey Brian Harding, who is riding in top form.
SEATTLE'S GIRL seemingly has less to do in present company and top weight of 57.0kg should not prevent her from resuming winning ways, especially with the trip reduced to a mile.
Back in February she slammed subsequent dual winners MEDICAL REPORT and ROYAL COMMAND over 1500 metres. And her two losses since have been against the likes of QUIET STRENGTH in the Digicel Irish Jamaican Stakes (grade one) over 1300 metres on June 3 when finishing 3-1/4 lengths third and to DON LIMPIO.
Having worked exceptionally well, galloping six furlongs in 1:13.1, the last five in 59.4 Sunday morning, SEATTLE'S GIRL will report in peak condition.
UP IN CLASS
Despite the good claims of recent course winner DIGI N' JIGGY (now up in class, but very fit) and his late kicking stable-companion NATURAL DESIRE, who would prefer another furlong, the choice has to be the American four-year-old filly by Seattle's Pattern out of Ain't My Bag.
SEATTLE'S GIRL has the speed to set off in front and make every post a winning one. But even if the Wayne DaCosta-trained DIGI N' JIGGY forces the issue, she can chase at close range before making her winning move leaving the half mile.
Other firm fancies on the 12-race programme, which will facilitate two Super-6s, are the down in class INSATIABLE in the second race, MAKE THEM LAFF with Harding up in the 3rd, veteran campaigner RUCKUS to upstage TUTOR and ROCK STAR QUEEN in the 4th over the straight five course, PURE MUD in the 5th, TOCUMEN in the 6th and ITALQUEEN to repeat in the 9th.
