Stamp Of Authority for Roderick ‘Pilot’ Francis Memorial Trophy
A fairly sound and competitive field of runners from the $180,000 claiming spread will contest the trademark feature for these group of horses — the Roderick ‘Pilot’ Francis Memorial Trophy — on the nine-race midweek card at Caymanas Park today.
But also on the programme is an intriguing penultimate call among Overnight Allowance horses going 1,700 metres that should also call attention to its competitiveness in choosing the winner without prior knowledge.
The Roderick Francis claiming feature has attracted a field of 10 and is scheduled to go the post at approximately 4:15 pm. The Overnight Allowance call also with a field of 10 runners is up next at approximately 4:45 pm, with first post at 1:10 pm.
Throughout the years, the Roderick Francis has always been a competitive affair, and with a number of former useful runners in the higher grades slated, this year’s running is expected to live up to its intended billing.
Without much examination Doc Holiday, Stamp Of Authority and Gold Rush and to a lesser extent Thunder Heart are the ones to which one may give greatest consideration were this an exact science. Nevertheless, on recent performances and the choice of rider Stamp Of Authority, the mount of Shane Ellis, looks a very reasonable choice. Recent winner Doc Holiday is another who may continue his winning ways, but this is not his style unless he has recovered sufficiently from his last effort to hold on to his gallop. Ruja Lahoe who piloted Doc Holiday to his last win, in almost one year, again has the leg up.
Unless something in the form of Palace Dancer with Richard Lunan up, Never Give Up with Omar Walker, or Powerful Red with Michael Grant astride, much should not come between Stamp Of Authority and Doc Holiday, with Stamp Of Authority given the edge.
Ones To Watch
Race 1 Tropicaldepression (Shane Ellis)
Race 2 Sir Roland (Jevvanne Erwin)
Race 3 Official Report (Prince Holder)
Race 4 Lap Top (Richard Lunan)
Race 5 Stormonthesea (Orayne Sewell)
Race 6 Jessie James (Richard Lunan)
Race 7 Stamp Of Authority (Shane Ellis)
Race 8 Raging Prospect (Dane Nelson)
Race 9 Tubo Machine Cat (Richard Mairs)
