Money Magnet the choice in St Catherine Cup
The St Catherine Cup, an Open Allowance event run over five and a half furlongs, will be the feature race as we advance into the racing year tomorrow at Caymanas Park.
Some of the country’s better sprinters will compete in what is shaping up to be quite a sprint contest among the six horses entered for the first major trophy race of 2018.
The chances of the six nominated starters are analysed in post-position order in an attempt to find the winner.
ZEPHYR — Quietly and without much fanfare, this five-year-old chestnut mare has been performing extremely well. Finished fourth the first time of asking in Open Allowance on December 16. That was after Zephyr won in Overnight Allowance company in late November. Zephyr was defeated by Siempre Bueno over six furlongs on October 21, and with little difference in the weight, the same result might occur again tomorrow. Nevertheless, Zephyr is a fighter, so punters can expect another true and genuine run.
SIEMPRE BUENO — Ran completely out of character on December 16 when finishing in the ruck in seventh position behind Money Magnet, Orpheus and Another Bullet over six furlongs – a run that should be erased from calculations for tomorrow’s race. Siempre Bueno has the ability to be just off the pace, and that might be the best strategy in this race. Now rested, and with the service of the red-hot apprentice Anthony Thomas who claims two kilogrammes, Siempre Bueno is afforded a good chance of winning.
LUCKY STROKE — Makes a step up the ladder and has been racing against some of the big ones, but without really troubling his rivals. This race should fit well in his portfolio of experience.
SIMPLY THE BEST — As fast as they make them. Simply The Best is going to do her work on the headlines, but Crucial Appeal will provide harassment for the lead. Simply The Best was prominent in the Caribbean Sprint in November of last year but faded badly in the homestretch. Fast, very fast, and once she can get over her antics at the starting gates, Simply The Best will have a part to play in this race.
CRUCIAL APPEAL — Another speedball who comes in on the heels of a win in the lower grade. Crucial Appeal gets a slight drop in weight and is on the back of a 21-day rest period. Crucial Appeal keeps company with some of the best sprinters around, and while he prefers to be in front, can be waited on. Although he is getting on in years, Crucial Appeal is still potent enough to win this one.
MONEY MAGNET — Has steadily been climbing the ladder, especially in the latter part of 2017. Money Magnet is versatile and is the youngest of the lot in this race at the age of four, which increases her scope for development over her rivals. This chestnut filly has been keeping really good company of late, as evidenced by her win over Orpheus on December 16 and her prominent performance in the December 2 Diamond Mile. The distance of six furlongs should suit her well, and the fact that Dick Cardenas is riding her instead of Siempre Bueno is another plus.