Take Skittle Queen in Ash Wednesday Trophy
THE Wayne DaCosta-trained imported four-year-old bay filly Skittle Queen headlines a nine-horse field to seek redress in a competitive looking $715 Ash Wednesday Trophy Overnight Allowance feature at Caymanas Park today.
Also down to create some amount excitement on the 10-race card is the highly thought of Sports Star. As a two-year-old with two victories from two starts the Anthony Nunes-trained colt drew attention to his good ability but has not run since October of last year and will now be making his three-year-old debut on today’s 10-race card. First post is 1:05 pm.
Owned by Robert H Nunes the ability of Sports Star is held in high regard in racing circles and was expected to be among the top contenders in the ultra rich SVL-sponsored two-year-old Series. He, however, had a setback. Now recovered the son of Region Of Merit out of PW’s Choice returns to the track even better than when he left and is expected to be unsaddled in the winner’s enclosure after humbling his five rivals in the $715,000 Restricted Stakes opening event for imported three-year-olds and upward (NW2) and native-bred three-year-olds over 1,300 metres. Stable rider Shane Ellis gets the call.
Rivals who could manifest themselves closest to him in the rush for the wire will more than likely be Lakeland Farms’ imported four-year-old colt My Bredren and Unique Logistic’s three-year-old dark bay colt Cat For A King.
My Bredren, trained by Philip Feanny, is a chestnut son of Unbridled Time who went down narrowly over 1,100 metres on last but was seen putting his best work in deep stretch and with the distance increased not even top weight of 57.0kg will stand in his way to throw out a strong challenge in the closing stages with Paul Francis in the saddle.
Cat For A King is also expected to run well. Trained by Tony Kirlew the son of Parker’s Storm Cat has gone well at exercise and with a 2.0kg claim of the top apprentice Doushane Gordon to lighten his burden for him to come in at 54.0kg should not surprise to find Cat For The King disputing with My Bredren for the runners-up slot.
When Skittle Queen was at the race last the bay filly turned for home in front looking all over a winner. She, however, later shortened rapidly passing the 100-metre pole and was overhauled by a fast-finishing Hail The Genius. Possibly jockey Omar Walker mistimed his run on that occasion leaving the 600-metre pole but the talented daughter of Slew City Slew has been prepared with victory in mind and with the distance reduced should make amends with the champion jockey aboard.
Ones To Watch
Race 1 Sports Star (Shane Ellis)
Race 2 Kamechi (Doushane Gordon)
Race 3 Brotherly Love (Omar Walker)
Race 4 Burst Of Energy (Winston Griffiths)
Race 5 Real Minister (Shane Ellis)
Race 6 Miss Pam And Me (Omar Walker)
Race 7 Cougway (Doushane Gordon)
Race 8 Natural Heart (Fabian Jones)
Race 9 Skittle Queen (Omar Walker)
Race 10 Mumsy (Georgina Sergeon)