STRONG DELIVERY (left), one of five winners for jockey Dane Nelson, holds off JET BLASTER (Philip Clunis) to win the Tewfic Ziadie Memorial Cup (claiming $390,000-$340,000) over 1820 metres at Caymanas Park on Wednesday. The winner is owned by Keith Duncan and trained by Gary Subratie. - Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer
The Morris Powell-trained REGAL SELECTION bids for his fourth consecutive win at Caymanas Park today, when he faces five opponents in the open allowance Zaleucus Trophy feature over 1800 metres and is confidently expected to win again.
The vastly-improved four-year-old colt by Natural Selection out of Chie Liu Poo, started the year on a high when slamming subsequent winner LIKKLE BIT and former Governor's Cup (Lotto Classic) winner IL CAIMANO in the Fan Appreciation Day Trophy over 2200 metres on New Year's Day.
Stepping up in class for his next race on February 14, REGAL SELECTION beat a good field of open allowance horses in the valuable King's Plate over 1500 metres, covering the distance in stakes record time of 1:31.2.
Back in action against five inferior horses, REGAL SELECTION should use this as a stepping stone to grade one company.
winning streak
Significantly, REGAL SELECTION started his winning streak on December 17 last year when leading home subsequent dual winner, HOMBRE, by seven lengths in a fast-run 1600-metre race.
He continues to look real sharp at exercise and, all in all, it will take a brave punter to oppose him today, even with top weight of 57.0kg.
In-form jockey Richie Mitchell, who rode REGAL SELECTION to victory on two occasions last year, replaces his now customary rider Shane Ellis, who is sitting out the final day of a two-day suspension.
It should be smooth sailing for REGAL SELECTION, who should take command at the halfway stage and win with the minimum of fuss.
IL CAIMANO, who won the Governor's Cup in 2007, should complete the exacta with champion jockey Omar Walker now taking the ride.
Elsewhere on the moderately supported nine-race programme, NATURALLY ROYAL also has little to beat when he takes on five opponents in the third race over 1100 metres.
champion trainer
From the high-powered stables of champion trainer Wayne DaCosta, NATURALLY ROYAL, with Walker aboard, comes to the wicket with good recent form, having finished a neck second to the more fancied stable companion, THE GUARDIAN, in a fast-run straight five race on February 7.
Although today's field includes Wednesday's scorer YAMASHITA'S GOLD (now up in class), along with the speedy pair of RIGMAROLE and UNBREAKABLE HEART, NATURALLY ROYAL looks leniently treated with only 53.0kg and should make no mistake.
Other firm fancies on the card are the speedy PASS LINE to stave off LIGHT MY FIRE and PRINCESS NESSA in the second race over the straight, STEEL DE CAT to repeat in the fourth, SUGAR'S IMAGE (Walker up) to outfinish the speedy filly BELLA in the fifth race over 1100 metres and the lightly-raced TWIST OF FATE (Lasix now administered) to recoup losses at the expense of SIR JAADU BABA, in the closing race for native bred three-year-olds over the straight.