Campesino is the focus to win the seventh race Open Allowance highlighter for the Gladiator Trophy on the competitive two-trophy 12-race card at Caymanas Park today.

Trained by Philip Feanny for owners Hamark Farms Ltd, Campesino is one of six starters declared for the race going 1,400 metres for a purse of $845,000. The other starters are Phineas, Long Running Train, Smokey Topaz, Edison and Princess Shine.

The Gladiator Trophy call is scheduled to go to post at approximately 2:30 pm with the first post at 11:30 am. The War Zone Sprint Trophy, a three-year-old and upward Restricted Stakes call going 1,100 metres for a purse of $850,000 is the second trophy race on the card. A tough-looking field of 12 runners headed by the insistent Royal Assault, from the barn of trainer Anthony Nunes, is scheduled to face the starter at approximately 4:30 pm.

In the Gladiator Trophy there is ample reason to spotlight Campesino as the main focus, notwithstanding that his biggest danger must be the recent winner Phineas.

Owned by Nical and trained by Andrew McDonald, Phineas is a much-improved performer who has never been better. A six-year-old dark bay brown gelding, Phineas also has a victory against Campesino that was scored months ago at today’s distance of 1,400 metres.

There was, however, a weight difference between Campesino top weight of 57.0 kg with Phineas a mere 52.5 kg at the time. At present, however, both are sitting at level weights and with the champion jockey, Dane Nelson called to the saddle, there is parity at the weights and where there is parity, Campesino holds a decisive edge.

The distance of 1,400 metres is one that will be enjoyed by Campesino and having worked industriously coming into the race is expected to be very competitive in this small field of recent winners.

Therefore, after turning up the lane he should be battling to hold the advantage from Phineas, Edison and the promising three-year-old import, Long Running Train,in the drive.