Cash Talks for Altamont Armond Mem Cup

By Hurbun Williams Observer writer

Saturday, February 11, 2012

A somewhat tricky-looking field of runners in the $350,000 - $300,000 claiming spread will contest the $492,000 Altamont V Armond Memorial Cup feature of a nine-race card at Caymanas Park today.

Six colts and geldings and one mare in the field of seven among native-bred three-year-olds and upward and native-bred five-year-olds upward (NW3) will face the starter in the stamina-testing run over 2,000 metres, which is set to open the programme at first post, approximately 1:00 pm.

The once respect inspiring Prime Minster, who has been to the mountain top, heads the Altamont V Armond field on past performances. But now finding himself slumming at this level obviously shows that he is not the soundest of racers and even with two wins in his last three attempts, can still make him a risky proposition, despite getting an ideal trip.

Owned by Michros and trained by Robert Darby Snr, Prime Minister, an eight-year-old bay gelding by Royal Minister out of Prime Plus (You Ok) and bred Israel Williams, ran dismally in his last race over 1,600 metres. But that was two classes above and now stepping down to where he won his last race, has to be respected after having been refreshed.

Added to this is the encouraging sign of the presence of inform and leading rider Dane Nelson. Nelson, who leads the current jockeys standing with 14 wins, eight more than his closest rival, has been called upon to take over the reins from jockey Clive Lynch.

Nonetheless, despite these positives, depending on what shape the gelding enters the fray, Nelson could have his hands full trying to contain four-year-olds Pasadoble and Mr Perfection, along with last season's promising two-year-old bay gelding Cash Talks, who is surprisingly thrown in for a tag at this level in his first race as a three-year-old.

He showed a lot of determination to win over 1,400 metres, albeit in the Stewards Room, in his seventh career start after just taking part in the Jamaica Two-Year-Old Stakes, and looks well prepared for his three-year-old baptism.

Owned by Janet E Najair and trained by Patrick Fong, Cash Talks, a bay gelding by Alisios out of Money Dancer (Sword Dancer), has shown that he will enjoy the distance at this level, and with a trophy on offer could get up in time to win. Panamanian jockey Ameth Robles will ride.

Pasadoble is another who could turn up the books with a capital effort. Bred for this sort of journey by Tracking out of Latin Princess (Corsicana) by Dr Patrick Graham, the chestnut gelding was a somewhat big disappointment as a three-year-old, but now four years old and running against opposition he can cope with, should be able to make his presence felt, especially in the closing stages with trainer Andrew McDonald replacing jockey Clive Lynch with Oneil Mullings.