A competitive $786,500 Open Allowance test, three-year-old and upward, which anchors a subdued nine-race card at Caymanas Park today, pits leading trainers Wayne DaCosta and Anthony Nunes in another tussle for overall leadership, with leading prospects Double The Honey and Saragossa, respectively.

These two headlines a field of nine runners who will contest the 1,000 metres straight course dash which, based on its composition, looks certain to turn into a straight fight between the imported Double The Honey and Saragossa, who are both winners over the course and who will also enjoy the competitive shape of the event.

On a broad spectrum, all the competing runners, with the single exception of Esquire, the mount of claiming apprentice Richard Cole, have already won over the distance either at this level and lower, which certainly makes the fight for parity confined not only to Double The Honey and Saragossa, but also to a wide cross section.

Saragossa, it is true, has won more races over the distance this season than his opponents and look certain to again be the one they may all have to beat.

But there is also Brass & Sassy, a sprightly five-year-old chestnut marauding mare by Burning Marque out of Nuttin But Red (Thirty Six Red) who is bred by Cheryl & Kristi Marsh) and who could beat either of these two.

Not so long ago, the Peter-John Scully-prepared mare covered the distance in a lively 56.4 this season — a mere 3/5 of a second outside the track record, which at present stands at 56.1 and held jointly by Ministerofjustice and Musical Maestro.

Super Dave, who seldom runs a bad race over the course, has to be considered highly. Triple Account, whose only win for the season was scored at this level in March when he beat Double The Honey in a three-way photo finish, and Palace Gold, another whose three wins for the season came via the trip and last but certainly not lease New Kingston, are all contenders.

New Kingston, a versatile imported five-year-old gelding campaigner, has not yet had a win over the trip this season but truly loves this galloping course and could have a serious hand in the finish though poorly drawn at barrier one.

In spite of the competitiveness of the field, it takes on the appearance of a battle between the two principal runners with

Saragossa, a three-year-old bay colt by Saint Appeal out of Pretty Sammy Girl (Williamstown) bred at Ham Stables Ltd and own by Elias Haloute & Amber Stewart stepping up to Open Allowance company in fine fettle at 51.0kg to meet the top weighted Double The Honey.

Ones To Watch

Race 1 Soca Party (Shane Ellis)

Race 2 Hard Times (Shane Ellis)

Race 3 Never Give Up (Shane Ellis)

Race 4 Perfect Lady (Shane Ellis)

Race 5 Saint Theresa (Dick Cardenas)

Race 6 Ovation (Winston Griffiths)

Race 7 She’s So Shy (Richard Mitchell)

Race 8 Double The Honey (Shane Ellis)

Race 9 Fill’s Fancy (Shane Ellis)