Colon Hamilton/Freelance Photographer
The even-money favourite SHANGHAI PASS is hard ridden by Dane Nelson to win the sixth race over 1300 metre, ahead of the riderless horse, NATURALLY ROYAL, at Caymanas Park on Saturday. NATURALLY ROYAL decked champion jockey Omar Walker at the start.
Orville Clarke, Gleaner Writer
Nine starters have been declared for today's claiming feature, $470,000-$440,000, for the City of Kingston Centenary Cup over 1600 metres, including last year's winner STAISFIER.
SATISFIER, who heads the scales with 57.0kg, minus the apprentice Rayan Wilson's 2.0kg claiming allowance, has won two of his last three races and can definitely win the race for a second straight year in present frame of mind.
SATISFIER is actually down in class to vie for this trophy, having won on a $575,000 tag on April 11 when leading home the favourite NASATOL by three-quarter length over 1400 metres.
Veteran campaigner
However, prior to that on March 18, the veteran campaigner was caught and beaten a length in deep stretch by THE SMOKER over 1500 metres on March 18.
Others such as SPANISH TOWN and BLUE MARLIN should be conceded winning chances as well.
SPANISH TOWN, in particular, failed by three-quarter length to catch SATISFIER over 1500 metres on February 21 and, having settled down to his racing this season, should make another brave bid with title-chasing jockey Dane Nelson riding for trainer Michael McIntosh.
BLUE MARLIN, on the other hand, stormed through in the last furlong to win by all of 7-3/4 lengths from JET BLASTER over 1300 metres on April 4 and, although stepping up to compete, is light enough with 50.0kg to figure seriously in the outcome.
Strong early pace
With the likes of JACK N DBOX, SPANISH TOWN and SATISFIER coming to ensure a strong early pace, it could come back to Blue MARLIN, under lightweight jockey Carlton Malcolm and THE SMOKER, to be ridden by in-form Paul 'Country' Francis for veteran trainer Noel Ennevor.
While SATISFIER and SPANISH TOWN are models of consistency, THE SMOKER looks tempting at the weights with only 52.0kg and thus gets the vote.
The six-year-old grey gelding by Smokehouse Sam out of Lady Diana not only accounted for SATISFIER on last, but DR STEPHANIE (3rd), GALLAVANTER (4th) and RAJPUT (6th) as well.
All renew rivalry on basically the same terms with THE SMOKER, having beaten better in the not too distant past, getting the nod. I am expecting him to race in touch of the free-running JACK N DBOX and launch in the last furlong to post his second consecutive win.