The Harry Parsard-owned and trained Original Train will get another grand opportunity to complement his useful early season running form in the Reynold ‘Ren’ Gonzalves Memorial Cup at Caymanas Park, today.

The ‘Ren’ Gonzalves is the principal call on the weekend’s 10-race card for Overnight Allowance horses going 2,000 metres. A purse of $780,000 is up for grabs and a closely matched field of 10 will contest the two-turn highlighter scheduled for an approximate 4:45 pm post, with the first post at 12:30 pm.

A nicely bred four-year-old bay gelding by Image Maker out of the Royal Minister mare Regina Royal, Original Train has been a most consistent runner throughout his four-year-old season and has garnered one win along with three third-place finishes and a fifth from half-dozen starts.

By his consistent knocking at the door all season, going distances short of today’s call, it now seems a healthy possibility that this proverbial door could be prised open on this occasion with an increase in distance. Notwithstanding, this is an evenly matched field of runners, and as such, the race is poised to be evenly contested, with fellow imported four-year-old filly Elle’s Pegasus, trained by Philip Feanny, projected as a possible fly in the ointment. Seasoned campaigners, six-year-old bay gelding Royal Vibes, trained by Wayne DaCosta, and the seven-year-old bay horse Timeforarms trained and part owned by Fitzroy Glispie, are also ageing runners with a zip or two still remaining to be competitive at this level, and could garner new vigour to take the fight to Original Train.

Original Train will also be sharing top weight of 52.5 kg with Royal Vibes. However, with his consistent performances supported by his fitness, Original Train should be accorded every opportunity to reverse his recent good attempts at winning with a victory now that trainer Parsard has called on the strong handling of jockey Robert Halledeen in place of lightweight jockey, Wesley Henry.

Henry, who previously made three failed attempts at winning aboard Original Train, has moved over to the lightly weighted Elle’s Pegasus.

The exercise gallop reports are not as flattering as those of some of his rivals, nonetheless, he has trained well for the race and his fitness is not in question.

While Elle’s Pegasus looks the main danger to Original Train conquering his demons, senior adversaries Timeforarms and Royal Vibes cannot be discounted. Both have trained well entering the fray, but being versatile runners over varying distances it is sometimes difficult to fathom over which of these distances they will be pointed to give of their best. This is what makes the sport of horse racing such an interesting and intriguing sport. Omar Walker will remain aboard Royal Vibes, while Bebeto Harvey will continue on Timeforarms.

Ones To Watch

Race 1

Counter Attack (Shane Ellis)

Race 2

Twilight Citizen (Andre Powell)

Race 3

Rawalpindi Express (Shane Ellis)

Race 4

Light Brigade (Gary Santos)

Race 5

Princess Shemika (Odeen Edwards)

Race 6

Urban Principal (Odeen Edwards)

Race 7

Ballon D’Or (Linton Steadman)

Race 8

Flying Machine (Oneil Mullings)

Race 9

Original Train (Robert Halledeen)

Race 10

Santana (Bebeto Harvey)