Ride on Bullet Train

Orville Clarke, Gleaner Writer

Seven horses from the high claiming group ($450,000-$400,000) are down to contest the annual renewal of the Colin Melhado Memorial Cup over 1200 metres at Caymanas Park today, including the down-in-class BULLET TRAIN.

The seven-year-old chestnut gelding faces some fit horses in the recent winners GOOD SENSE and LADY WALES, as well as DANIELLE MY GIRL, MING LEI, DANCING SAM and the free running filly MAGDALA. Despite this, BULLET TRAIN should use his class to best advantage and take home this trophy.

The Delroy Wisdom-trained DANIELLE MY GIRL advertised her well-being last Saturday when going under in a driving finish to SIR ARCHIBALD in the Millard Ziadie Cup over 1100 metres.

fitness

Although stepping up in class under new management (claimed), she could bring fitness into play and fight out the finish under back-to-form jockey Paul Francis.

Still, there will definitely be more support for the pair of BULLET TRAIN and GOOD SENSE, who steps up in class after his runaway win over the straight on Boxing Day.

Claimed for $350,000 by trainer Fitzgerald Richards out of his last race, GOOD SENSE won so easily that he will be just as comfortable in this tougher spot.

Indeed, the consistent five-year-old gelding finished a good third to THE BEST MAN and BULLET TRAIN on a $450,000 claiming tag as recent as December 12, this after rearing at the start. With connections going for champion jockey Omar Walker, the hint should be taken.

Still, BULLET TRAIN is basically a better animal than GOOD SENSE when fully sound and now trekking down from special claiming ($550,000) to high claiming should notch his second win since September of last year.

Back then, the seven-year-old gelding from the stables of Patrick Chang slammed subsequent multiple winner THE BEST MAN in a fast-run 1100-metre race.

tables turned

THE BEST MAN subsequently turned the tables in a close finish with BULLET TRAIN over the straight on December 12, a race in which a then lightly weighted GOOD SENSE was third.

Despite the presence of GOOD SENSE and the free-running MAGDALA, BULLET TRAIN has the necessary speed to set off in front under in-form jockey Dick Cardenas. I am expecting him to hold GOOD SENSE and DANIELLE MY GIRL at bay in the closing stages.

I also like PICCOLO in the second race; DIABOLICAL KID to repeat over the straight in the fifth; stable-companions HEART OF GOLD and SKITTLE QUEEN in the eighth and ninth, respectively; and BDELLIUM over NATURAL HEART in the closing Track Price Plus Dig-Out Handicap.