Former Open Allowance campaigner Likkle Bit, winner of three races this season while campaigning in high claiming company, takes on another manageable field of rivals as he seeks win number four in the $570,000 Cecil C Charlton Trophy claiming feature on the nine-race card at Caymanas Park today at 4:35 pm. First post at 12:45 pm.

Also on the card is the $735,000 Alex’s Imports Ltd, ‘Dig Out Handicap’ Race #31 of Series #3, a Restricted Allowance 11 event for native-bred three-year-olds (NW2) over 1,300 metres, which completes the local segment of racing at the Park for the day.

A full field of 16 runners will face the starter with Kissing Audrey, Aquilo, Reds Thomas, War Hero and Actus Reus among the major competitors in the event.

In the day’s Cecil Charlton Trophy feature only seven will run in the 1,300 metres event, but it should prove competitive for Likkle Bit. Though formerly very useful with eight wins under his belt from 47 starts, the six-year-old bay gelding by Family Calling out of Herecomesthegirls (Northern Flagship) and bred by Lawrence Heffes in the USA, is certainly not the force of yesteryear, but still retains some of his former class to make his presence felt throughout.

He, nonetheless, will be up against a mixture of talents in fellow journeyman, the sly eight-year-old campaigner Wild Glitz, also a successful former Open Allowance competitor, the well-bred but not so sound five-year-old bay gelding Awesome Marque, fellow six-year-old River Styx and the up and coming four-year-old Eloping Emma.

Based on recent performances and current expectations the race should come down to these five runners in the seven-horse field with Wild Glitz appearing to be the possible fly in the ointment to get between Likkle Bit, Eloping Emma and River Styx. Had the distance been further then Awesome Marque could have been highly considered, but with the likes of Eloping Emma and River Styx in the line-up it could just set the stage for Wild Glitz, who could come on rapidly in the closing stages to open his winning account for the season now that trainer and part owner Vin Edwards has replaced the blinkers with the visors to sharpen the aging warrior who still possesses a vibrant turn of foot when focused.

Ones To Watch

Race 1 Saint Mary (Shane Ellis)

Race 2 Ever Blessed (Omar Walker)

Race 3 Ben Ten (Dick Cardenas)

Race 4 Lovetta Jones (Shane Ellis)

Race 5 Uncle Ken (Shane Ellis)

Race 6 Tantaloo (Shane Ellis)

Race 7 Right Marker (Georgina Sergeon)

Race 8 Wild Glitz (Carlton Malcolm)

Race 9 Kissing Audrey (Andre Martin)