American import Shanghai Pass will have an opportunity to gain significantly on improving on his consistency when he faces seven tough rivals in the $786,000 Fontainbleu Trophy Open Allowance feature at Caymanas Park today.

There are also several other interesting races on the truncated nine-race card, but the feature looks to be most competitive on the line-up with some really capable and in form runners declared for the 1,500 metres trip. First post is 1:35 pm.

Shanghai Pass, a five-year-old dark bay/brown horse by Three Wonders out of China Spirit and trained by Gary Subratie for owner Houston Stables, has shown in the past that he is most effective over this 1,500 over which he has already won.

And now being eased in the handicaps to come in at 55.0kg after benefitting from the 2.0kg claim of apprentice Doushane Gordon is weighted to lead this field back to the line. This appears possible even in the presence of his inform stablemate and recent winner, Hail The Genius; the morning line 2-1 favourite the Guv ; former Derby winner The Bomber who is in sprightly good form at six years old; and the five-year-old Heart Of Gold, who could prove to be the surprise of the party.

What is encouraging about the form of Shanghai Pass is his fourth place finish over 1,000 straight on last. Not the best suited to the distance at this level at any rate, he ran surprisingly well up to the final 200 metres and then eased by his rider.

Earlier, giving Lady Hastings 3.0kg, the son of Three Wonders stalked her from the final 200 metres, but just could not get on even terms. However, with nothing remotely as enterprising as fellow American-bred Lady Hastings (who has since died) and a trip he has shown a distinct liking, should now turn the form around and get his head under the wire where it matters most.

This is easier said than done as the Spencer Chung-trained The Guv with Paul Francis up could have other ideas as the four-year-old grey colt by Royal Minister out of Havasac, is in the hunt for win number three on the trot, and with only a feather to carry and although he has never gone below 1:12.0 before with the light weight and the way the race is run, could see him in the heat of battle to the very end.

While Dane Nelson is expected to be pumping away to get The Bomber clear from the field after turning for home Heart Of Gold with the champion jockey Omar Walker astride could surprise his more fancied rivals.

Trained by Wayne DaCosta for owner Elizabeth DaCosta, Heart Of Gold, who won with much in hand over 1,820 metres on last, was well drilled for her baptism in Open Allowance company, and having the ability to run from in front as well as coming from off the pace, could provide a surprising finish to the event.

Ones To Warch

Race 1 Skittle Queen (Omar Walker)

Race 2 Hypocrite (Larris Allen)

Race 3 Moment Of Hope (Omar Walker)

Race 4 Flagaman (Shane Ellis)

Race 5 Light My Fire (Omar Walker)

Race 6 Prince Rohan (Aaron Chatrie)

Race 7 Alesia Way (Omar Walker)

Race 8 Shanghai Pass (Doushane Gordon)

Race 9 Power Glitz (Cavel Brown)