THE somewhat disappointing four-year-old bay gelding Quiet Knight makes a two-tier jump up in class to hunt back-to-back wins among $350,000 – $300,000 claimers in the $492,000 Alty McKenzie Memorial Cup feature over 1,600 metres at Caymanas Park today. First post at 1:05 pm.

The principal event on a fairly well-supported nine-race card with only one race falling below seven starters, the Alty McKenzie Memorial Cup has attracted 10 runners many of whom have campaigned as high as $550,000 in the claiming rank not so long ago and still quite ruddy enough to be extremely competitive at the $350,000 level.

Also on the card is Race #38 in the Alex’s Imports “Dig Out Handicap” last race closing event for a purse of $438,000 over 1,500 metres for three-year-olds upward and native-bred five-year-olds upward (NW2) in the $180,000 claiming spread.

Quiet Knight, owned by Faye E Lee, trained by husband Dennis and bred by Sharon Lindo by Skipping out of Mekamara (Herb Water), faces a stiff task in overcoming a sly bunch of tried and tested campaigners, among them the American-bred Passa Passa, Rule By Secrecy, Blondie Blondie, Il Caimano, Hey Train, and last but not least, Cajun Fidler.

Nonetheless, with champion and leading rider Omar Walker remaining aboard after winning over today’s journey of 1,600 metres by all of 10 1/2 lengths on a $180,000 tag on last, suggests his chances of repeating at two classes higher is attainable.

On past performances, any of the above six mentioned could win, although Il Caimano, Passa Passa, Blondie Blondie, Classy Company and Cajun Fiddler look to be Quiet Knight’s most potent threats.

Eight-year-old Passa Passa, conditioned by Joe Thomas for owner Donovan Russell, has demonstrated he is much better than $350,000, but finding a distance to see him at his best is not always easy.

However, today’s distance is one he will enjoy and having lost narrowly to Sledge over same distance in June against much better company on a $425,000 tag, is here expected to be around at the finish despite a lacklustre run over 1,200 metres on Wednesday last.

Claimed out of that event for a $350,000 tag, he returns to contest this longer trip on the same tag and should Thomas get him to refocused, chances are he could prove better than most.

Rayan Wilson, who piloted last Saturday’s upsetter, Triple Account, to victory in the “Sarge” Bucknor Memorial sprint feature, could again come good and repeat for back-to-back feature wins.

Rule By Secrecy has ability but his tardy gate habit makes him a risky propositition. That aside, with Vassel Najair having one of his better times of late in the saddle and taking over the reins from Oral Bennett aboard the gelding, the son of Pat N Jac could present trainer Leroy Biggs with his second career win.

While Quiet Knight and Passa Passa, among others, are candidates with good credentials for victory in this middle distance caper, Magdalia’s five-year-old chestnut mare, Cajun Fiddler possesses just as much danger here for victory as any other despite that atrocious last two runs where she was totally out class by better quality performances.

Now dropped to a level where she will be effective, the form can spin around dramatically with little effort to match that effort of July 21.

Should Cajun Fiddler achieve this return to form then the effort should be good enough for victory among these after being a mere 1 /14 lengths adrift to Florence at the higher level over 1,600 metres while sitting at level weights – 54.0kg.

Trained by Tensang Chung today Cajun Fiddler will carry only 51.0kg or so for the services of 4.0kg claiming apprentice Michael Grant which make her an even more worthy candidate for her first win of the season from 11 starts.

Ones To Watch

Race 1 Roll The Dice (Omar Walker)

Race 2 Dayton’s Law (Richard Cole)

Race 3 Oasis (Omar Walker)

Race 4 Alesia’s Way (Omar Walker)

Race 5 Nyabinghi (Richard Mitchell)

Race 6 Hackleton (Richard Mairs)

Race 7 Cajun Fidler (Michael Grant)

Race 8 Sky Force (Richard Mitchell)

Race 9 Marlee’s Merit (Omar Walker)