All set for a Campesino win
With no trophy race being offered on the 10-race card today, all eyes will be on the ninth race, an Open Allowance event where seven good sprinters are set to face the starter.
The consistent Campesino, who has finished second in his last four outings, is almost sure to start as favourite in the 1,200-metre race that is set for 4:25 pm. The first race on a well-supported programme is scheduled for 12:10 pm.
The race has lost some of its dazzle with the very late withdrawal of sprint king Poker Star. Smokey Topaz was also withdrawn, thereby reducing the field of nine on the Overnight to seven.
Trained by Philip Feanny, Campesino was beaten by Poker Star two times, once over this distance with the most noticeable being in the Caribbean Sprint Championship last November in a quick 1.11:0 minutes while carrying top weight of 57.0 kilogrammes. With his arch-rival not in the line-up, Campesino with apprentice Odean Edwards in the saddle with a mere 53.0 kilogrammes to carry, looks like a live banker for players of the exotic wagers and the last double.
However, the six-year-old bay gelding by Compadre – Yaella will come face to face with a former sprint champion in Potcheen, trained by Harry Parsard.
Potcheen has not been himself since winning the Gold Cup two years ago, with only one victory from seven starts. He has been reprogrammed for this race and based on back form, he should not be underestimated.
Champion jockey Shane Ellis has been called up to do riding honours, and with this dropped down in class, Potcheen has a live shot at winning despite carrying top weight of 57.0 kilogrammes. If Potcheen is anywhere near his top form he will win.
A very interesting entry is the Anthony Nunes-trained Royal Assault who seems to be now thriving after easily moving through the classes.
Royal Assault is in fine fettle, and although moving up in grade to contest this one cannot be left out of calculations. Royal Assault has been showing vast improvement each time he races, and with his speed and a mere 50.0 kilogrammes to carry under Wesley Henry, will have to be caught.
Hover Craft is a very consistent sort, but this might just be too quick for him although he will be coming at them in the straight.
Pete’swildone is on the mend as far as his form is concerned and his performance here will be watched closely.
The rest in the field, Raging Prospect and Differentgeneration should benefit from the outing.
ONES TO WATCH
Race 1) Ballon D’Or (Shane Ellis)
Race 2) Classical Train (Jerome Innis)
Race 3) Dreamliner (Omar Walker)
Race 4) Queen Of The Town (Jevvane Erwin)
Race 5) Agakhan (Dane Nelson)
Race 6) My Way (Omar Walker)
Race 7) Semper Fidelis (Andre Powell)
Race 8) Sure Man (Dane Nelson)
Race 9) Campesino (Odean Edwards)
Race 10) Water Wave (Jevvanne Erwin)