Cassanova Boy for Trophy feature
A step-up in distance could see the four-year-old imported grey gelding, Cassanova Boy, continuing his winning form as he goes for win number four in the $815,000 Fan Appreciation Day Trophy principal feature for Overnight Allowance three-year-olds and upward on the New Year’s Day 10-race card at Caymanas Park today. First post is 12:15.
Also on is the McKay Security & Consultants Trophy, the most valuable race of the day which offers $180,000 claimers a whopping purse of $1,000,000.
The race will be run over 1,820 metres for four-year-olds and upward who have started for $180,000 or less since September 1 2009. It is the final race on the card and has attracted 12 runners.
Cassanova Boy has never gone over 2,200 metres since beginning his racing career in Jamaica in September of 2009, but has indicated he would get a longer journey by his emphatic win over 1,600m.
And also having prepared very well for his early return to the track on the first day of the new season a win in the event can give champion trainer Wayne DaCosta, who has just completed his ninth championship triumph, a clean sweep of the two principal trophies on offer on the card as he also holds a strong hand with his five-year-old dark bay mare Heart Of Gold in the $700,000 New Year’s Day Trophy event.
A son of the sprint guru Narjan out of Gender Bias (Saratoga Six) is unbeaten after three starts on local soil and won by an accumulated 21 3/4 lengths margin with victories in 1,100 metres, 1,200 metres and closing off 1,600 metres with a widening 11 3/4 lengths while easing down in an impressive 1:37.1.
Owned by E DaCosta, G Dulal-Whiteway, W Kong & Raymond Rousseau, Cassanova Boy,will again be ridden by Shane Ellis who has already ridden him twice to victory.
Michros’ six-year-old grey mare Kokopelli Cat another US-import could be his main danger along with the local-bred Go My Robin partnered by Larris Allen. Despite her age this daughter of Western Cat out of Kokopelli Café (Waquoit) has shown a distinct liking for extended distances and should she leave the gates in good order will be closing rapidly in the latter stages of the event for a slice of the spoils with only a feather to carry.
Kokopelli Cat showed on last that she is in shape as after giving away several lengths to her rivals at the start recovered sufficiently to finish fourth over 1,820 metres. The weight then was in her favour at 51.0kg and now preparing for a better showing trainer Vincent Edwards has further reduced the poundages by 4.0kg by calling up claiming apprentice jockey Conrod Ellis to ride at 46.5kg.
While Cassanova Boy looks to have a distinct edge in the Fan Appreciation Day event stablemate Heart Of Gold while expected to also win the New Year’s Day Trophy looks to have a more challenging prospect with rivals Burning Cielo, the mount of Doushane Gordon, Brash & Sassy to be ridden by Dane Nelson and Classic Beau Dick Cardenas in the irons looking to be in a competitive shape.
Ones To Watch
Race 1 Addi Addi (Ameth Robles)
Race 2 Trial Lawyer (Shane Ellis)
Race 3 The Smoker (Doushane Gordon)
Race 4 Burst Of Energy (Doushane Gordon)
Race 5 Something Doing (Dalton Brown)
Race 6 Alias Mr Cat (Doushane Gordon)
Race 7 Cassanova Boy (Shane Ellis)
Race 8 Sugar’s Image (Ansley Dancel)
Race 9 Heart Of Gold (Richard Mairs)
Race 10 Spacesaver (Richard Mairs)