Prince of Arabia poised to rule

Orville Clarke, Gleaner Writer

Following his good second to GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY over 1800 metres on August 22, PRINCE OF ARABIA is confidently expected to go one better in the fifth race over 1600 metres, for native-bred and imported three-year-olds at Caymanas Park today.

Only six starters have been declared for the restricted allowance II race and based on the last run, PRINCE OF ARABIA should not only start favourite, but chalk up his second win from 18 career starts.

Part-owned and trained by Michael McIntosh, the bay gelding by Alisios out of Sub Zero has been fairly consistent, but in recent weeks he appears to be improving. He showed this when closing for third behind SHE'S SMOKIN in the fast-run TOBA Trophy over 1400 metres on August 7, and followed up with that second-place finish to the progressive GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY.

Sweeping move

PRINCE OF ARABIA made a sweeping move from off the pace, entering the straight to point briefly ahead of long-time leader THE DIPLOMAT and GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY early in the straight, only to be overwhelmed by the latter leaving the furlong pole.

He will prefer the shorter distance of a mile and with back-to-form jockey Dane Nelson riding again from the convenient mark of 52.0kg, PRINCE OF ARABIA will not go down easily in this small field.

PRINCE OF ARABIA had CRUISER (fourth) and THE DIPLOMAT (fifth) behind that day and both renew rivalry on favourable terms.

THE DIPLOMAT is in fact 1.0kg better off for the services of in-form Paul 'Country' Francis, and judging from the manner in which he carried a big field into the straight on August 22, will have to be caught.

However, PRINCE OF ARABIA had him behind on the two occasions they met in August and is expected to do so again.

Other firm fancies on the eight-race programme, which kicks off at 2 p.m., are consistent PAT N GOLD to catch DAYTON'S JUSTICE in the second race over 1400 metres for maiden three-year-olds; CONEYISLANDINVADER to go one better in the two-year-old sprint (sixth race); RESTLESS MARQUE to rebound in the seventh over 1600 metres; and down-in-class SAMBA DANCER over SIMPLY DEVINE amd PEACE BY PEACE in the closing $180,000 conditional-claiming race over 1600 metres, to be contested by the maximum 16 starters.