Ian Allen/Staff Photographer
WHEELS OF LAW (left) is driven out by champion jockey Omar Walker to stave off the favourite HARMONICS (Larris Allen) by 2 1/2 lengths in the seventh race (claiming $270,000 - $240,000) at Caymanas Park on Wednesday. Owned by Kary Neale and trained by Robert Darby Sr, WHEELS OF LAW won at odds of 8-5.
Orville Clarke, Gleaner Writer
Triple Crown winner ALSAFRA and MUCHO GUSTO, both slated to be ridden by Trinidadian jockey Brian Harding, are tipped to win their respective races on today's 10-race card at Caymanas Park.
Both races are significant in their own way. The outstanding three-year-old filly ALSAFRA will be having her first outing since completing the Triple Crown in the July 12 RJR Jamaica St Leger over 2000 metres, this in the open allowance race over 1500 metres. And MUCHO GUSTO steps up to grade-one company for the first time to contest the Reggae Trophy over the straight five course in which five starters have been declared.
ALSAFRA, who has worked exceptionally well, is prepping for the rich and prestigious Superstakes to be run in six weeks, November 8.
Having looked razor sharp in her preparation, the chestnut filly by Legal Process out of the 2007 champion broodmare Tee Gee Vee is expected to take where she left off, as she has displayed the qualities of a champion.
ALSAFRA turned heads in a brisk 1:13.2 last Monday morning at exercise, galloping the last five in 1:00.3.
Preparation complete
With her preparation complete, she is expected to return on a winning note with two-time local champion Harding flying in from his base in Trinidad for the ride.
According to her co-owner Norman Gordon, this will be ALSAFRA's only race before the Superstakes.
"The only other suitable race is the grade one Governor General's Stakes over 10 furlongs on Monday, October 20 (Heroes Day), but we have decided to bypass that as it is just too close to the Superstakes," he said.
TOBAGO, winner of the RJR Classic for overnight allowance horses over the distance in fast time (1:31.4) on July 12, has the ability to keep ALSAFRA honest, but upstaging her is another matter.
A more competitive race is definitely the Reggae Trophy over the straight five course, despite attracting a small field of five.
Sound claims
The Noel Ennevor-trained MEDICAL REPORT has sound claims, despite top weight of 59.5kg. He has won four of his last six races and although running a bit below par when finishing fifth to CHADMAN in the recent Eileen Cliggott Memorial Trophy over 1300 metres, could well rebound.
The Wayne DaCosta-trained BULLET TRAIN won easily in post-to-post fashion over 1200 metres on September 10 and although up in class to vie for this trophy, loves the straight and will have to be caught with champion jockey Omar Walker again at the helm.
Strictly at the weights, however, the one to beat must surely be MUCHO GUSTO, who has been a model of consistency in winning three of his eight races this season.
Having worked impressively in preparation for this race and with the trip more to his liking, MUCHO GUSTO, with a mere 50.0kg, should prove too strong for the leaders BULLET TRAIN and MEDICAL REPORT in the closing stages, especially with Harding aboard.
Other firm fancies on the card are the well forward debutant BRUCEONTHELOOSE in the round five Stewards Cup for two-year-olds, STAR OF THE SEA in the fourth, MAHARANI in the sixth, GALLAVANTER in the seventh and UNQUESTIONABLE over PISON and PRODIGAL SON in the 10th.
