King Within longs for crowning moment
THE native-bred three-year-old only maiden condition fourth race on a nine-race card, will take centre stage at Caymanas Park today.
A field of 12, dominated by fillies, is down to go postward at approximately 2:15 pm to answer the call going 1820 metres for a purse of $768,000. The first post is at 12:40 pm.
In a race where no very useful form is paraded and the distance extended for the majority of runners, the presence of Mr Grand National, Lazza, King Within, Tashie Baby, Homecoming and Cruisin Danielle are among some of the more useful runners in the line-up that should be favoured for the distance.
King Within and Tashie Baby look to be favourable choices that are capable of taking the event. King Within is consistent and shows an encouraging form line that says much for his releasing his maiden tag over this extended sprint trip. Bred by Urban King out of the Storm Creek mare, Storm Within, the consistent performing colt is prepared for racing by Gary Subratie for owners Oakridge Farms, and even though carrying top weight of 55.0 kgs should have little trouble dismissing this field of fellow three-year-old maidens.
In his last 10 career starts, King Within has never been less than fourth. He looked well in his gallops coming to the race and before this was seen again making positive late headway when last at the races. He was then ridden by the former four-time champion jockey Omar Walker who will again ride.
Tashie Baby, the ride of Hakeem Pottinger for owner/trainer Gary Griffiths, looks the best of the fillies to test the resolve of King Within. By Tracking out of Trickster (Hail Orphan), Tashie Baby is just as consistent as is King Within and is also bred to get the distance, and with the light impost could really prove elusive in the drive.
Another who is expected to come storming forward in the twilight of the chase is Mr Grand National who was prominent in the drive on last going 1,600 metres. But at the 1820 metres call could be seen at a greater advantage.
Last but not least ,Cruisin Danielle is a filly with some potential who could be the surprise of the field along with Lazza.
Another race of significance is the eighth, a restricted allowance for non-winners of two races where the Wayne DaCosta-trained Dinner By Seven will go postward as the favourite. The three-year-old bay filly will be comfortable over the distance of five furlongs straight while Paul ‘Country’ Francis does the riding duties. Main dangers should be Abbey Road and recent winner, Gold Member.
ONES TO WATCH
Race 1 – Girshom (Linton Steadman)
Race 2 – Princess Shemika (Robert Halledeen)
Race 3 – Jelani (Omar Walker)
Race 4 – Mr Grand National (Hakeem Pottinger)
Race 5 – Tokico (Odeen Edwards)
Race 6 – Gran Corazon (Paul Francis)
Race 7 – Winit (Andre Powell)
Race 8 – Dinner By Seven (Paul Francis)
Race 9 – Naseen (Charlton Riley)