Minister without portfolio in the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service, Don Wehby (right), and owners' association president Laurence Heffes (centre) listen keenly to a point being made by new Caymanas Track Limited (CTL) board chairman, Tony Hart, during a tour of the racing facilities at Caymanas Park on Monday. - Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer
Recent winner WINNING MESSAGE is tipped to repeat when he takes on eight opponents in the $180,000 claiming race for the Long Shot Trophy over 1300 metres, feature event at Caymanas Park today.
Trained by Wilfred Chin, the 10-year-old horse scored by 2-1/4 lengths from CASH PAT and FUSILIER over the distance on March 7 on a $220,000 claiming tag and is actually down in class to vie for this trophy.
Not deterred
WINNING MESSAGE, who was always prominent, covered the distance in the fairly good time of 1:22.3 and despite reporting 3.0kg heavier, the top weight of 57.0kg should not deter him in present company, especially with in-form Dane Nelson again in the saddle.
WINNING MESSAGE had previously won over 1100 metres on January 3, coming home 2-1/2 lengths clear of AMERICAN DON. And next time out on February 7, he was third to the out-of-class GOOD HOPE over 1200 metres, just nosed out for second by DON'T STAY NAKED, who renews rivalry today.
DON'T STAY NAKED must be respected in a race of this nature. The seven-year-old gelding was an easy winner over today's trip in October of last year and should definitely go well under in-form jockey Richie Mitchell.
In addition to DON'T STAY NAKED, MISS TIMS and BULLSEYE, both ideally suited to the trip, should enter the reckoning.
MISS TIMS is not only down-in-class, but is back with the trainer who knows her best, Ryan Darby. BULLSEYE notched his last win over this trip on December 6 and has figured prominently in three subsequent races. With competent Jason Simpson replacing the claiming apprentices Omelio Francis and Everton Bennett, BULLSEYE could close rapidly for a piece of the action.
Despite all that, the choice has to be the very fit WINNING MESSAGE, who last season won four races in the first two months. He's definitely an early-season type.
Elsewhere on the 10-race programme, another veteran campaigner, SATISFIER, should complete a hat-trick of wins in the ninth race (high claiming) over 1500 metres to be contested by eight horses, several of whom have already won this season.
New management
SATISFIER reports under new management (claimed) after his narrow win over SPANISH TOWN at this trip on February 21 when trained by Percy Hussey. The 10-year-old gelding, who has won a whopping $9 million lifetime, has worked well for his new trainer Dwight Chen and, on past performances, should defy top weight of 57.0kg with champion jockey Omar Walker aboard.
Still, SATISFIER can expect worthwhile competition from GALLAVANTER, who has won twice this season and is still extremely fit, as well as JET SKIER (working well) with Nelson slated and of course, THE SMOKER, who is regaining form.
Other firm fancies are BELLA in the first race, ME LLAMO in the second, EXPLOSIVE CAT in the fifth and ENDURING in the nightpan.