Ainsley Walters, Freelance Writer

QUEEN OF MY HEART (left), with Wesley Henry aboard, chases home rank outsider SOPHIA over 1700 metres at Caymanas Park on Saturday, December 16.

TRAINER Tony Kirlew's American-bred LADY HASTINGS, who won on debut after raring at the gate on December 2, renews rivalry with PSYCHEDELIC in this afternoon's opening event, the 1400-metre Sweet Ruckus Trophy, one of two feature events on the 11-race card.

Later in the afternoon, champion trainer Wayne DaCosta's QUEEN OF MY HEART will go to post as favourite to land the Rimsky Trophy over 1820 metres.

QUEEN OF MY HEART, who finished second in three of her last four starts, should win the Rimsky Trophy.

When last out on December 16, she was outbattled by SOPHIA at 1700 metres following a much better effort behind American-bred repeat winner, PURE MUD, at a mile late November.

A runner-up to SWING BY in the Jamaica Oaks in April, QUEEN OF MY HEART has a bleeding problem and even bled through the medication lasix when scoring a big seven-length win in May.

She has kept far better company than the six rivals and returns pretty light with Wesley Henry and 51.0 kilos.

Threat

The American-bred AZULI, who scored a 14-1 upset win on December 9 at a mile, beating HERECOMESFUDGIE in a decent 1:40.1, should be QUEEN OF MY HEART's only threat.

LADY HASTINGS threw a scare when raring at the gate on debut, but still managed to blow past PSYCHEDELIC midway the last half-furlong for a convincing victory at 1200 metres.

PSYCHEDELIC, also an American-bred, had two outings under her belt including a victory at 1100 metres, but was still no match for LADY HASTINGS, who went off as a short-priced 2-5 favourite.

LADY HASTINGS, down to be ridden by Andrew Ramgeet, continues to look improved at exercise, galloping six furlongs on the round course in 1:14.0 on Christmas eve.

However, in addition to summoning Emilio Rodriquez, PSYCHEDELIC's trainer, Gary Subratie, has swapped the figure-eight nose band for a tongue-tie.

The same morning LADY HASTINGS clocked 1:14.0, PSYCHEDELIC galloped 1:13.4 out of the mile chute, minus the figure-eight but fitted with a tongue-tie, which remains undeclarable but has turned around the performances of several horses this season.

LADY HASTINGS looks hard to oppose but PSYCHEDELIC's equipment change is not to be overlooked.