BASED on consistency, promise and the level of preparation coming into the $851,500 Royal Dad feature at Caymanas Park today, the Gary Subratie-trained Classic Princess should win the event hands down.

But the task will not be easy as light and as catapulting as she is in the closing stages.

The galling problem with this somewhat better than average filly is that there is always some other runner going better than her at the most crucial point in her races among comparable talent.

In her last two callings she went down narrowly to two capable imported horses: Kal Kal and Uppa Tune.

However, in this Restricted Stakes contest for imported three-year-olds and upward (NW3 and maidens) and nativebred three-year-olds going 1,820 metres where another three will compete, the three-year-old dark bay daughter of Western Classic out of Liz N’ Maggie (Dynaformer) bred by Ruth Hussey has a much greater prospect of delivering the goods on this occasion.

Owned by Arthur Foreman, Classic Princess will be attempting 1,820 metres for the first time in 13 starts this season. In the filly’s earlier runs for the season she gave palpable indications that she will enjoy going farther and with that in mind she has been prepared to meet this indication and should now deliver with the connections calling for the meticulous handling of champion jockey Dick Cardenas.

While Classic Princess may be singled out for special mention she has not done enough for her to escape this field without a big struggle.

The race in essence looks very competitive. Among them are Sirmandi, a three-year-old bay colt by Ghost Ranson out of Dame O’Mandy (Wise Emissary), bred by Dr Patrick Graham; Timeforarms, a sly customer who will enjoy the distance; and Philistia, who is light enough to carry the fight to the favourite.

She has been a shade disappointing but in the hands of veteran trainer Noel Ennevor things can really take shape when least expected. And if her last run and steady preparation are indicators then the daughter of Dayton Flyer out of Comegowithme (Outrigger) bred and owned by Donald Williams should shake loose of her shackles and come good for the pint sized claiming apprentices Prince Holder, who has retained the ride to come in at 47.5kg.

If an imported runner should have a serious impact on the outcome of the event it will be the American-bred Miss Boss Lady. This fairly consistent three-year-old dark bay filly by Hat Trick out of Never Faulty (Faltaat) and bred by Colando, Dr Andrew C, will enjoy this semi-sprint as indicated by her earlier efforts. A co-ordinating idea that the filly with worthwhile ability would mount a serious challenge rests with a change of equipment. After running consistently well with Cheek Pieces in her previous four races, for her fifth and penultimate to the Royal Dad Trophy feature trainer Fitzgerald J Richards strategically introduced the Visor. The result he got was perhaps what he was looking for: A non-effort. And for the Royal Dad Trophy the Cheek Pieces are back with the four-time champion jockey Omar Walker still entrenched.

El Patron, another of trainer Anthony Nunes’ entries, looks well drilled but even with Shane Ellis astride may just have to settle for a minor share, while PJK’s Dream Point trained by Ian Parsard is still an unknown quotient though winning handsomely in his second outing over 1,300 metres.

Ones To Watch

Race: 1 Ghost Rapper (Omar Walker) Race: 2 Gwenniethebutcher (Omar Walker) Race: 3 Devils Child (Shane Ellis) Race 4: Jagsover (Shane Ellis) Race 5: Double The Honey (Dane Nelson) Race 6: Gold Top (Dick Cardenas) Race 7: Danielle My Girl (Prince Holder) Race 8: Richiesonjamarley (Kuri Powell) Race 9: Classic Princess (Dick Cardenas) Race 10 Skipping Cool (Richard Mairs)