Griffiths to Raise A Ruckus in Royal Dad Trophy
A mixed field of Restricted Stakes imported three-year-olds upward (NW3) and native-bred three-year-olds rub shoulders for parity in a competitive $841,500 Royal Dad Trophy feature at Caymanas Park today. First post at 12:45 pm.
To be contested over 1,820 metres at 4:30 pm, the feature event has attracted seven runners and 14-time champion trainer Philip Feanny looks certain to Raise a Ruckus with his imported three-year-old chestnut colt of the same name.
Also highlighting the nine-race card is Alex’s Imports “Dig Out Handicap” Race #35 curtain closer. An event for $180,000 claimers, three-year-old upward over 1,000 metres straight, it offers a purse of $458,000.
In the principal event, Raise A Ruckus by Graeme Hall out of Likely Ruckus (Bold Ruckus), bred by EugeneMelnyk in the USA and owned by Houston Stables, is on the hat-trick of wins trail. The son of Graeme Hall’s last victory was over this journey and looking for a repeat performance and in search of the consecutive three-win successes, trainer Feanny has once again called upon the emblematic reinsman Winston Griffiths, who had the leg up on the colt’s two previous wins.
Having his preparation stepped up in training, the hat-trick of wins beckons even in the face of a tad more competitive field while giving away all of 8.0kg, especially to the local colt Prince Rohan.
Trained by Anthony Nunes for owners Arscott Farms, the three-year-old gelding son of Crucial Trial out of Pretty Dan-Dan (With The Wind), Prince Rohan was beaten by a diminishing 1/2 length over the journey on last.
But while Raise A Ruckus was raised 2.0kg, Prince Rohan went down 2.0kg, and this weight differential could sway heavily in the favour of the son of Crucial Trial with Panamanian jockey Dick Cardenas replacing the injured claiming apprentice Aaron Chatrie.
Prince Rohan ran poorly over 1,600 metres on last, but that must have been an aberation judging from his preparation coming into the event. The run of September 25 behind him, he stands a good chance of again going close.
Another who can impact positively on the event is another Feanny entrant, My Bredren, ridden by the five-time champion Trevor Simpson.
Bred and owned by Lakeland farms, My Bredren — a four-year-old chestnut colt by Unbridled Time out of Reggae Citi (Citidancer) — looked well placed third behind eventual winner stablemate Raise A Ruckus over 1,820 metres on September 15 but bolted and ended up 10 1/4 lengths fourth.
He has since run two useful races and could also put in a very strong bit for top honours with 2.0kg less to face his stablemate.
Rolex, the most talented son of A King Is Born, is beginning to show much more interest in his racing and coming in with only 49.0kg for 3.0kg female apprentice Georgina Sergeon, the Richard Azan-conditioned horse could prove competitive in no small measure in what looks to be an ideal trip.
