Orville Clarke, Gleaner Writer

Today's midweek programme at Caymanas Park marks the return of the classy unbeaten three-year-old TYPEWRITER, who is prepping for the November 10 Superstakes at Caymanas Park.

The Derby and St Leger winner, who is unbeaten in five starts, is slated to contest the 3-y-o and up open allowance race over 1300 metres in which he faces three tough opponents in the American filly NOON IT IS, REASONABLE PRESS and THE GUV in a field of seven.

TYPEWRITER will be racing for the first time since his decisive victory in the season's final classic, the mile and quarter St Leger on July 7, but none will report fitter.

Trainer Spencer Chung has taken the son of Western Classic-Doc's Palladin to task at exercise in preparation for this race, and having impressed in a 5^1/2-furlong gallop on October 15, clocking a brisk 1:06.3 by 59.4, not to mention seven furlongs in 1:29.3 last Saturday morning, is coming to run.

The question, however, is: can TYPEWRITER beat horses at this level going this short?

Indeed, NOON IT IS and REASONABLE PRESS have won good races in recent weeks and, they being race fit, either could snap the winning streak of TYPEWRITER.

The Gary Subratie-trained NOON IT IS was installed an odds-on favourite to make it two in a row on October 20 over 1100 metres, but found one too good in PALACE GOLD and went under by 1^1/4 lengths.

Philip Feanny's REASONABLE PRESS also ran well in that race for fifth, finishing only a length behind NOON IT IS. It will be close between the two Americans.

The vote goes to NOON IT IS, despite topweight of 57.0kg. TYPEWRITER, win or lose, will benefit from the outing and be in the peak of condition for the Superstakes.

starters for Trophy

Meanwhile, 10 starters have been declared for the annual renewal of the Cecil Charlton Trophy (claiming $550,000-$500,000) over 1300 metres, the field including such fit horses as the recent fast-time winner ROLEX, old rival WINCHESTER, JAYLEN and MINISTEROFJUSTICE. All of the above have good claims and should carry the bulk of the betting.

ROLEX, who won in the smart time of 1:05.2 on October 13, was claimed out of that race by shrewd conditioner Lawrence Freemantle, and with the new connections securing the services of four-time champion jockey Omar Walker once again, the hint should be taken.

At his best, ROLEX is really a competitive overnight allowance horse, so although reporting 2.0kg heavier to carry 56.0kg, this will not deter him. He gets the nod over MINISTEROFJUSTICE and WINCHESTER.

Other firm fancies on the card are GUAN YU to repeat in the second race, PRIESTKING in the fifth, THE LINCOLN LAWYER in the sixth, and down-in-class THE VALIDICTORIAN in the eighth.