Seek Gold takes the spotlight today
THE $492,000 Reca Trophy claiming race for three-year-olds upward in the claiming spread $350,000-$300,000 is pivotal to three important features at Caymanas Park today.
Not only is the race designated a principal event of the day on the 10-race card, but it also provides two other elements. The most important being the attractive $149,964 Hit-Six carryover from last Wednesday which is there for the taking among punters, while the other provides an opportunity for legendary reinsman Winston Griffiths to draw closer to his 1,600 winners at the Park.
Griffiths has the leg-up on the morning line favourite Seek Gold in the day’s feature for trainer Richard Phillips in the penultimate ninth race at 5:05 pm. First post is at 12:50 pm.
The event, which will be run over 1,400 metres, provides a very good chance for Seek Gold, a four-year-old chestnut filly by Tracking out of Ebony (MT Magazine) and owned by Shawn E Tulloch, to register his second consecutive win after stepping down to claiming at this level for the first time.
Coming off of a good win over 1,300 metres on last, Seek Gold will carry top weight of 55.0kg but has shown enough ability among much better opposition to have the measure of this field.
Despite this, there is one or two seasoned campaigners in the line-up with fairly good past performances who could put a different spin on things. Orion, a six-year-old chestnut mare, is one such proven campaigner and taking a step down from a $450,000 claiming tag she was a narrow looser five races ago. Going only 100 metres farther this time, looks a real threat to the favourite with only 52.0kg and Paul Francis in the saddle for trainer Cleveland Mitchell.
Another who could run well to create an interesting finish is the hard knocking Hey Train. Owned and trained by Michael Beecham, Hey Train, a sprightly seven-year-old bay gelding by Pat N Jac out of Princess Cracker (Mr Nutcracker), has finished two seconds and two thirds in his last four starts, and given his accustomed strong pace, will be among the top finishers in the event.
La’s Dancer, another consistent performer at this level, must also be given a good chance of upstaging the principals based on his last run in the grade over 1,820 where he stormed forward from last to go down by one length.
La’s Dancer is very effective over the shorter distance, but the six-year-old horse by Royal Minster out of Lady Anandi (Big Prince), will have to leave his barrier on time this time with Dance Nelson in the saddle if he has to be a real threat when this is being decided.
Ones To Watch
Race 1 Jiggy Girl (Omar Walker)
Race 2 Royal Impact Omar Walker)
Race 3 Harlan’s Dancer (Ameth Robles)
Race 4 Explosive Report (Dane Nelson)
Race 5 Sir Von (Omar Walker)
Race 6 Crown Jewel (Richard Mitchell)
Race 7 Romez (Richard Mairs)
Race 8 Diamond Valley (Aaron Chatrie)
Race 9 Seek Gold (Winston Griffiths)
Race 10 Lady Nenita (JNE)