Orville Clarke, Gleaner Writer

BLAST THEM AWAY, who won his first seven races before losing twice to Horse of the Year SAINT CECELIA, should rebound in the Ash Wednesday Trophy overnight allowance feature over 1300 metres at Caymanas Park today. Post time is 12:30 p.m.

Trained by 12-time champion Wayne DaCosta, the American-bred four-year-old colt finished second to SAINT CECELIA over the distance in the grade-one Eileen Cliggott Memorial Trophy when last raced on June 16, 2012.

But owing to the conditions governing horses coming down from the top class after lengthy periods (a six-month window), BLAST THEM AWAY is now eligible for overnight-allowance races, having been away eight months.

The son of Proud Accolade is stepping down two classes in the process and having been extensively prepared to meet this engagement, should return on a winning note, even with topweight of 57.0kg.

Despite the lengthy absence, BLAST THEM AWAY has been turning in bullet work after bullet work at exercise in recent weeks, galloping 5¹/² furlongs in 1:06.0 by 1:00.0 on Saturday, February 2.

With his preparation more intense than any of the others, BLAST THEM AWAY should have little difficulty in leading home stable companions SIR VON and JET SETTER.

Champion jockey Dane Nelson is down to ride him from the number-one post position and once breaking cleanly, BLAST THEM AWAY will more than likely make it a post-to-post affair.

DACOSTA ON COURSE FOR DOUBLE

DaCosta, the leading trainer so far this season, should make it a double with his consistent filly MY FRIEND LUCY under former champion jockey Dick Cardenas in the second race (high claiming) over 1500 metres, to be contested by eight starters.

MY FRIEND LUCY was beaten in a driving finish by RAISE A RUCKUS over 1400 metres on January 26 and came back to finish a close third to stable-companion CANTARE over 1200 metres a week later.

Although having RAISE A RUCKUS (Walker up) to contend with once again, MY FRIEND LUCY renews rivalry with him on 4.0kg better terms, sufficient to turn the stables and beat the others as well.

I also like the speedy RUNJOHNNY RUN, an unlucky loser last time, to rebound in the fifth race; AGAKHAN in the sixth, EMERGENCE to repeat in the seventh and AQUAMOTO (working well) to stave off ST BERNARD in the eighth.