Franfield, Perfect Neighbour clash in GG Stakes
The perennial Governor General’s Stakes running is the designated feature of a three-trophy 11-race card at Caymanas Park today.
Aside from the Graded Stakes event, which is set to attract a small field of six , the Winnie Anglin Memorial Cup for native-bred two-year-old maiden fillies is expected to grab some attention to highlight the programme, along with the running of the Errol “Big Sub” Subratie Memorial Trophy featuring Typewriter.
The Governor General’s Stakes is a long-standing and important call on the card with two of the finest local-bred stayers — Franfield and Perfect Neighbour — going head-to-head for the major share of the $1,200,000 purse going 2,000 metres. This race is scheduled to go off at approxinately 2:00 pm, with the first post at noon.
Both Franfield and Perfect Neighbour are very keen and versatile operators who are equally effective in the sprints and over long distances. Both have met on several occasions, with Franfield having the upper hand on their last two outings.
However, it will be the first time in the last eight races that they are the two major players present, with the six-year-old Perfect Neighbour entering the fray at 56kg and the five-year-old Franfield one kilogramme less due to the two-kilogramme claim of apprentice Bebeto Harvey. Despite the small field, an interesting duel should develop between the two after setting down for the final 200-metre drive.
A field of eight runners will contest the Winnie Anglin going 1,000 metres round for a purse of $800,000.
Vice Royalty, trained by Gary Subratie and running for only the second time 17 days ago, finished quite a good second to the impressive debutante Armageddon by 10 widening lengths going 1,100 metres. Following her good performance behind Armageddon on last, Vice Royalty, a bay by Bridled Quest bred by Trevor James and owned by Success Farms, looked impressive enough to open her winning account forthwith. Ameth Robles, who had the leg up on last, will again ride.
Of the debutantes, the well-bred Don’t Blush Babe by Twilight Time out of the Macho Uno mare Hishi Blossom should be forward enough to make a favourable impression. Trained by Norman Palmer for owners Incognito Racing Stables, jockey Jemar Jackson gets the call. Empress Cheyenne, to be ridden by Shane Ellis, is expected to run a very good race as well.
The third trophy race on the card, the Errol “Big Sub” Subratie Memorial Trophy, could prove to be the most attractive, with the two-time Superstakes winner Typewriter making his return to racing from a nine-and-a half month break, down in grade in Overnight Allowance company.
Typewriter last raced in the Harry Jackson Memorial Cup and finished third to winner Perfect Neighbour and second-placed Long Running Train over 2,400 metres
The “Big Sub” call has great implications for the seven-year-old Typewriter and probably the promising filly Pinelope. Pinelope has this, the Superstakes and another race to qualify for the Diamond Mile. For Typewriter, winning the “Big Sub” will be a plus for the old stager getting into the lucrative Diamond Mile race.
Ones To Watch
Race 1 Tashie Baby, Mr Romantic, Sweet Dimension
Race 2 Princes Brianna, Vice Royalty, Don’t Blush Baby
Race 3 Valley Of The Queens, Wicked Tuff,Bala Bad Girl Links
Race 4 Clearly Ours, He’sthereal Links, Bars Of Gold
Race 5 Perfect Neighbour, Franfield, Big Mistake
Race 6 Jessie James, Cheers, Our Creation
Race 7 Mr Grand National, Unruly Texan, Bridled Princess
Race 8 Zeegar, Prince Kamali, Classy Butcher, Top Eagle
Race 9 Bay Commander, Valley Of The Cats, JDA
Race 10 Typewriter, Penelope, Original Train
Race 11 Diligent, Coralando, Major Force