TWO of the finest stayers in local horseracing, the aging but tenaciously competitive eight-year-old bay gelding Ad Infinitum and last year’s improving Derby winner, four-year-old roan gelding He’s Really Ok renew rivalry in another grand 1,820 — metre showdown in the $1,188,000 Bonnie Blue Flag Trophy (Gr 1) feature at Caymanas Park today.

Also on the 12-race card is the $492,000 Birnamwood Trophy $325,000-$295,000 claiming race three-year-olds and upward over 1,300 metres and the $735,000 Alex’s Import Ltd “Dig Out” Handicap – Race #4 closing event. First post is 12:15 pm.

When they last met on February 27, He’s Really Ok came away a narrow one-length winner, and the recent winner of the Legal Light Trophy is again primed and weighted to repeat, but racing is replete with unexpected results.

Only a field of six will run in the Graded Stakes event for three-year-olds and upward, but with the aging warrior facing the starter with three other capable stablemates that include the hard knocking Go My Robin, it should not surprise to see one of the less fancied runners coming to the fore and waltzing away with the major share.

Ad Infinitum, the 2008 Superstakes winner and last year’s Governor General Stakes winner, shows no sign of aging as he responded well to his training by finishing off his speed work on Sunday with a smart 1:14.2 for 1,200 metres. Trained by Anthony Nunes for owner Elias Haloute, when Ad Infinitum last met He’s Really Ok in February he allowed his conqueror 1.0kg and went down by a length.

For today’s renewal, the son of Pangur Ban out of Infinity who shoot from barrier five will allow He’s Really Ok 2.0kg. It will be his first run since they last met and will come in at top weight of 60.5kg. However, being ridden again by the claiming apprentice Aaron Chatrie, who on this occasion can only claim 2.0kg, will carry 58.5kg which will allow his younger rival a 2.0kg advantage.

He’s Really Ok, owned and trained by Patrick Smellie and who had two useful prep runs over shorter distances since they last met, was declared with 59.5kg, but having the services of apprentice Ancel Dansel will slip 4.0kg to come in at 56.5kg.

In their February clash, He’s Really Ok exited from barrier two and Ad Infinitum from three. Today they are again side by side in another small field with He’s Really Ok coming from gate four and Ad Infinitum from five. Both will come in at basically the same weight and another really exciting stretch duel is anticipated, especially with He’s Really Ok’s preparation.

Machismo, ridden by Doushane Gordon, could engage He’s Really Ok into some early cheap speed up which could prepare a solid opening for the closers — Go My Robin ridden by Georgina Sergeon, at 47.5kg, Ad Infinitum and the dangerous Below The Waist ridden by Wesley Henry.

Despite the excellent chances of He’s Really Ok and Ad Infinitum, the winning of the event is not all that cut and dry and beyond the scope of the American-bred four-year-old chestnut filly Below The Waist. A versatile running sort, she truly loves this distance as her last four runs will indicate.

Ones To Watch

Race 1 Mismyrtleboyrichie (Omar Walker)

Race 2 Crucial Sutset (Michael Grant)

Race 3 Singingintherain (Richard Mitchell)

Race 4 That’s My Market (Oneil Mullings)

Race 5 Reggae Princess (Omar Walker)

Race 6 Special Cat (Devon A Thomas)

Race 7 Margin Call (Aaron Chatrie)

Race 8 Latin King (Doushane Gordon)

Race 9 Heretoeternity (Omar Walker)

Race 10 Cruiser (Trevor Simpson)

Race 11 Below The Waist (Wesley Henry)

Race 12 Pleasure Flight (Chalrick Budhai)