THE Sunnyside Stakes maiden special weight contest for native-bred two-year-old fillies, in two sections, will highlight a 12-race card at Caymanas Park today.

The huge but dynamic programme ushers in the festive season that culminates on New Year’s Day.

The Sunnyside Stakes, which showcases a number of worthwhile talents for the upcoming Classic season, will go 1,100 metres for a purse of $715,000 with Division One attracting a field of 10 and Division Two, a field of 11.

Also sharing the spotlight with the two juvenile races on the extended programme are the Paul Newman Memorial Trophy, a mid-table claiming contest for three-year-olds and upward going 1,600 metres in the claiming spread $450,000 – $400,000 and native-bred five-year-olds (NW4); and the Titania Trophy, a Restricted Allowance II call for native-bred three-year-olds and upward fillies and mares (NW2) going 1,100 metres for a purse of $715,00.

Division One of the Sunnyside Stakes feature is scheduled to go to post at approximately 11:45 am with Division Two set at approximately 12:45 pm. First post is at 11:15 pm.

While the first division looks clear- cut for the Richard Azan-bred, owned and trained Puddy Pooh, the second division, on the other hand, could prove a little more competitive with a number of runners that include Merlin, Monalisasmile, Fearless Fury, Jody’s Lodge and Angel Star coming in for preferred mention.

Of the aforementioned, Monalisasmile, a chestnut, owned by Stephan Narinesingh and conditioned for racing by Anthony ‘Baba’ Nunes, along with Jody’s Lodge are the most experienced competitors, not by much, with Merlin and Angel Star coming next with three starts, and Fearless Fury beginning her racing career.

This Fearless Fury is out of Raging Fury (Al’s River Cat) bred at Orange Valley Estates that makes her a half- sister to Raging Prospect, who is also owned and trained by Fitzroy Glispie.

Fearless Fury is reported to be of ability and working quite well for her debut outing. Jevvanne Erwin, who has been having a fair amount of success in the saddle of late gets the call atop Fearless Fury.

Angel Star, a bay by Deputy Glitters out of Makin Me Proud (Makin) bred and owned by Michael Bernard and trained by Anthony ‘The Guru’ Subratie is apparently being groomed as a Classic prospect. However, she failed on last to carry forward her early promise while going 1,600 metres. Nonetheless, with that experience under her belt and now back to the type of distance that she will enjoy at this stage of her development, should be in serious contention where it matters most to justify her morning line favouritism.

Jody’s Lodge, a bay by Blue Pepsi’s Lodge out of Simply Devine (Natural Selection) trained by Spencer Chung for Brotherly Connection who bred and owned the filly, delivered her poorest performance last and might have just gone for the experience as trainer Chung probably had today’s date in mind to test her true usefulness. And in so doing has now called up his most trusted jockey, Shane Ellis, to do duty.

Last but not least is Merlin. A fairly well bred dark bay, by Western Classic out of Code Star (Lost Code) Merlin is owned by Barrington Bernard and prepared for racing by Edward Walker.

This filly has demonstrated that she has some ability for racing and whether or not it is for the Classics she will be given ample opportunity to prove her worth in what appears to be a promising bunch of local-bred juveniles.

Although weakening out of contention on her last run, she was never worse than fifth. The addition of the blinkers by trainer Walker for that event could have been responsible for the below par performance. To that extent the equipment has been replaced by the figure ‘8’ and this could see her showing the way home with jockey Arthur Budhu remaining in the saddle.

Ones To Watch

Race 1 Early Edition (Devon A Thomas)

Race 2 Puddy Pooh (Omar Walker)

Race 3 Aquilo (Jevvanne Erwin)

Race 4 Merlin (Arthur Budhu)

Race 5 Explosive Princess (Paul Francis)

Race 6 Tiz A Cat (Zac Meikle)

Race 7 Technocat (Clive Lynch)

Race 8 Insane Bolt (Shane Ellis)

Race 9 Sequoyah (Omar Walker)

Race 10 Runner Runner (Shane Ellis)

Race 11 Striking Distance (Shamaree Muir)

Race 12 Lady Belridge (Larris Allen)