PISCEAN Rocket, trained and part owned by Richard Azan, and New Kingston, trained by Wayne DaCosta, have one thing in common when they face off in a knotty-looking GA ‘Sarge’ Bucknor Memorial Cup at Caymanas Park today.

The ‘Sarge’ Bucknor highlighter of the day’s 10-race card has attracted a very competitive field of 14 going 1,000 metres straight among Overnight three-year-olds upward for a purse of $715,000. And chief gripers among this lot will be the old stager New Kingston and Piscean Rocket who are both seeking to overcome the turpitude of narrow defeats they suffered in their two most recent starts.

Though Piscean Rocket has lost twice as did New Kingston, the old stager has a bit more griping to do as his two defeats were inflicted by none other than stablemates. And to rub “salt in the wound” as the saying goes, one was over his favourite 1,000 metres straight trip as is today’s.

Edison, a stablemate of Piscean Rocket, was the conqueror and after this New Kingston also went down to stable companion Border Line going 1,200 metres.

What makes this clash so interesting is that both horses are adept over the distance and the two leading riders in the race at present for championship honours, champion Dane Nelson on 43 wins will be aboard Piscean Rocket, while Dick Cardenas who is next on 35, will ride New Kingston.

While New Kingston should be heavily favoured to turn the tables on his tormentors this time around, Piscean Rocket is better drawn for this type of race, even as he comes in at least 2.5kg heavier. Piscean Rocket has trained smartly to be considered favourite to carry on where Edison and Border Line left off.

Nonetheless, New Kingston at age eight and 55.0kg is most certainly no back number, especially since he loves the straight. Drawing a line through his last three runs over the distance with one win, it seems difficult not to continue to follow the ageing American-bred bay gelded son of Delaware Township.

Good runs are also expected from fellow American-bred Sir Von and El Poderoso, along with the down in grade Runjohnny Run and Ladylike, who have worked very well coming into the race and is conveniently placed at the weights. Of the aforementioned, Sir Von running for the first time as seven-year-old, is the one most likely to spring a surprise.

Ones To Watch

Race 1 Unbreakable (Dick Cardenas)

Race 2 Sub Structure (O’Brien White)

Race 3 Go Go Train (Kuri Powell)

Race 4 Saint Theresa (Dane Nelson)

Race 5 Winesha (Dane Nelson)

Race 6 Notus (Darian Robinson)

Race 7 Awesome Code (Darian Robinson)

Race 8 Becham (Dane Nelson)

Race 9 Sir Von (Robert Stewart)

Race 10 Madiba (Dane Nelson)