The 9-5 favourite NAVAJOJOE, ridden by Jason Simpson, gets the better of highly fancied MAMBO (Kevin Blake) to win the fourth race over the circular nine course at Caymanas Park on Wednesday. - Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer
Four trophies are at stake on today's nine-race programme at Caymanas Park, including the Hot Line and Sir Howard Stakes, both confined to three-year-olds over 1200 metres.
Seven native-bred three-year-old colts and geldings (non- winners of two) have been declared for the Sir Howard Stakes, while the Hot Line Stakes for fillies has attracted 10 starters. Both offer purses of $820,000.
In addition, the 10-race programme also features the 3-y-o and up open allowance race for the St Catherine Cup over 1100 metres, to be contested by six starters, and the 3-y-o maiden condition race for the Omar Walker Trophy, in honour of the current champion jockey, over the straight five course, to be contested by 12 starters.
The Sir Howard Stakes should see SUGAR'S IMAGE, IT IS WRITTEN, PROGRESSIVE, stable companion NAVAL COMMANDER and GUAN YU in serious contention where it matters.
The Percy Hussey-trained PROGRESSIVE won easily from subsequent winner MEELO over the distance on November 26 and, despite managing only seventh (7-3/4 lengths adrift) to PRINCE OF PEACE over the same distance in a fast-run race (1:12.3) on December 13, reports in good nick and can fight this out successfully with Panamanian jockey Ameth Robles aboard.
PROGRESSIVE has been administered Lasix for this race and when one considers that the son of Vanadium was beaten by the likes of SIR VALIANT and THE GUMMER (both winners since) in the same race won by PRINCE OF PEACE, his chances are even more pronounced. Philip Fenny's GUAN YU, who has worked well, looks the main danger.
SMASHING DEBUT
Meanwhile, the Hot Line Stakes for fillies looks tailored for the lightly raced PATARA, who made a smashing debut over 1100 metres on Boxing Day.
The bay filly from the stables of Anthony 'Baba' Nunes covered the distance in the fairly good time of 1:07.2, and having moved impressively at exercise since, is tipped to repeat under in-form Richie Mitchell.
Nunes has two other strong contenders in C'EST MOI, who was a runaway winner of the Eight Thirty Sprint over the straight five course on January 24, and SAPPHIRE, the mount of title-chasing jockey Dane Nelson.
Two-time champion jockey Brian Harding, back from his base in Trinidad, is down to ride C'EST MOI for his old stable, and this speedy filly, along with the Feanny-trained SHAKIRA SHAKIRA and SAPPHIRE, should ensure that the stretch-running PATARA is extended.
UNLOCKY LOSER
The St Catherine Cup should be won by the consistent MINISTEROFJUSTICE (Nelson up), a most unlucky loser on January 24 when touched off by ROMEZ in a fast-run round five race for open allowance horses.
Other firm fancies on the card are SPACEMAN to make all in the first race, down-in-class SATISFIER to repeat in the second, KIKO in the fourth and the well-forward debutant THE GUV (working well) to stave off CIO MOTO in the Omar Walker Trophy race.