Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer

THE RESTRICTED allowance V for the Keino Martin Trophy race run in honour of the 2006 champion groom is the feature event at Caymanas Park today and here the lightly raced but improving colt, IMPERIALIST, has a glorious opportunity of repeating his recent course win.

The 1100-metre race, confined to four-year-olds and up (non-winners of two), has attracted nine starters and in addition to IMPERIALIST, others expected to figure prominently are the Ken Mattis-trained MISS SLOOKIE, PISON, YAMASHITA'S GOLD and the lightly raced PUNDIT who, despite his negative tendencies at the starting gate (whipped around last time out), has looked so sharp at exercise coming into this race that he can prove equal to the task if coming away in good order.

IMPERIALIST, to again be ridden by in-form Richie Mitchell for trainer Anthony 'Baba' Nunes, scored an emphatic post-to-post victory over the distance on March 3 and will more than likely start favourite.

Now at a stage of rapid improvement, this speedy 4-y-o gelding by Royal Minister out of the Studdish mare Radiance, could prove the right choice.

Looks tempting

MISS SLOOKIE looks tempting at the weights, especially with in-form Wesley 'Callaloo' Henry aboard, while PISON and YAMASHITA'S GOLD have shown enough in the past to be conceded fair chances.

It will more than likely come down to IMPERIALIST and MISS SLOOKIE. However, the choice has to be IMPERIALIST, having impressed at exercise in preparation for this race, galloping five furlongs in 35.1 on March 11, then coming back with an easy five-furlong gallop (1.01.1) from the gate on Saturday morning.

Elsewhere on the 10-race programme, the open allowance race over 1100 metres has attracted only seven starters, but despite the small field it should prove an interesting contest with the likes of EXPLOSIVE PEAK, LA REINA and the recent winners DIGI N' JIGGY and NASATOL, now stepping up in class after winning over the distance on March 3, expected to make it hot.

The Peter McMaster-trained EXPLOSIVE PEAK will more than likely start favourite and coming back with only 49kg and favourite jockey Henry aboard, the fleet-footed American 5-y-o mare will have to be caught.

She has worked well in preparation for this race an the Nunes-trained LA REINA has been burning up the track at exercise and looks a very dangerous opponent, the speed of EXPLOSIVE PEAK should prove a decisive factor in the seven-strong field.

Other firm fancies on the card are RAGING FURY in the first race for three-year-olds, YOSHI to stave off MELINDAGATA in the second, ALL FIRED UP to repeat in the fifth, RANKING in the eighth and the down in class CORDITE to catch ROYAL KINGDOM and CAPTAIN BONE in the 10th.