Orville Clarke, Gleaner Writer
Javour Simpson has the prime ride aboard TWENTYFIRSTOFJUNE today. - File
THE GLUT of midweek meets leading up to the Christmas season continues at Caymanas Park today with the Andrew H.B. Aguilar Memorial Cup and the Titania Trophy being the co-features.
Run in honour of the 1974 Derby winner, the Titania Trophy has attracted seven starters including BORN TO DANCE and STICKSONTHELOOSE, both winners over the distance of 1100 metres in recent months.
Prominently favourites
These, along with GIRLOFMYDREAMS, THE REAL FURY and TWENTYFIRSTOFJUNE should figure prominently, but the one to beat must surely be TWENTYFIRSTOFJUNE, a lightly raced three-year-old filly who has been burning up the track at exercise in preparation for this trophy.
From the stables of 14-time champion trainer Philip Feanny, who posted three winners on Saturday, TWENTYFIRSTOFJUNE will be having only her fourth outing, but has shown real ability.
The chestnut filly by Royal Minister out of Good Press made all on her debut over the round five course back in April to win by 7 1/2 lengths from FLORENCE and although losing her two subsequent races to stable-companion I'M MAGIC and THE REBEL, has really impressed at exercise (bullet works) and is tipped to go all the way under the useful lightweight jockey Javour Simpson.
Six youngsters have been declared for the Andrew H.B. Aguilar Memorial Cup and this should come own to an interesting three-cornered tussle among NAVAL COMMANDER, REGGAE ROCK and JOHNNY APPLESEED.
Both REGGAE ROCK and JOHNNY APPLESEED showed promise on their recent debuts, especially the Robert Darby Sr- trained REGGAE ROCK who, after missing the break, came from a long way behind to finish 8 1/4 lengths second to THE GUMMER over 1100 metres.
The bay colt by Spacelink, out of The Peacemaker mare Infinity, will have gained from the experience with a mile more suitable and should fight out the finish.
Expensive to follow
Still, preference is for the Percy Hussey-trained NAVAL COMMANDER, though proving expensive to follow. The bay colt by Requete out of La Grande Dame was installed favourite in his only to starts, but had to settle for second to MARATHON MAN and HE'S REALLY OK, both over 1400 metres.
NAVAL COMMANDER has not only trained well since his last race, but has been administered Lasix for the first time and this could make all the difference to the stretch-running colt, who will truly enjoy a mile. Panamanian jockey Dick Cardenas again has the ride.
Other firm fancies on the card are SKETEL (fitter) to make no mistake in the fifth over the straight, recent winner LATIN KING (down in class) to repeat at the expense of FOX MAN in the fourth, circular nine specialist RAINBOW TRAIN to upstage RED GENERAL and CHINA TOWN in the sixth, as well as MISS ROSE (fitter now) ahead of old rival LADY SUHAAGRAAT in the seventh and CHIPONYOURSHOULDER over recent winner SATISFIER in the eighth.
