Both are Derby winners, both are the only two horses to ever win the Diamond Mile, both are conditioned by the same trainer and yet both have never met in a competitive race before.

Tomorrow (Saturday, July 28, 2018), on Sagicor Bank St Leger race day, reigning Horse of the Year, She’s A Maneater and former two-time Horse of the Year, Seeking My Dream face off for the first time. The race suitably chosen for this mammoth clash of two of the best thoroughbreds to race at Caymanas Park is the seven-furlong (1,400 metres) Eros Trophy.

Trainer DaCosta is coy about the chances of his two charges, choosing not to move away from what seems to be his well-grounded position that “both horses are doing well and I expect both to be perform well and give of their best, even though both horses did not perform at their best when last on the racetrack”.

Jockey Omar Walker, who has the pick of the rides, has chosen to stay with She’s A Maneater, while Gary Richards mounts up for the first time on Seeking My Dream.

The Eros Trophy is by no means limited to the main headliners as Houdini’s Magic, Chace The Great, Siempre Bueno and Money Magnet are all talented racers.

The Supreme Racing Guide looks at the nine runners in the Eros Trophy in post position order, in this quite appealing and stirring race.

HOUDINI’S MAGIC: (6.dkb.h — Performing Magic — Milestone) Ran the race of his life when beating the top horses in The Viceroy Trophy over nine furlongs on June 18. On that day Houdini’s Magic was ridden by Wesley Henry who put him in front, as is customary for almost every horse that Henry rides. He then assessed Houdini’s Magic accurately down the backstretch and in the straight, Henry was able to hold off all and sundry to score a commanding win in the end. Henry, rather surprisingly, has been replaced by Shane Ellis for the Eros. If allowed to lead, Houdini’s Magic can repeat and Ellis knows him quite well. Do not discard Houdini’s Magic from any reckoning.

CHACE THE GREAT: (5.ch.g — Greatness — Our Miss Ruth) Put away rivals on last down the five straight with aplomb, to record his first win of the year. Chace The Great, the current Sprint Champion, is in the pink of form and the distance is no problem for him. With the apprentice claiming two kilogrammes, he has a glorious chance of repeating. Chace The Great is tough, competitive, and has forged a winning alliance with rider Anthony Thomas who will hold him just off the pace before making his move. Has every chance of winning.

UNCLE FRANK: (4-dkb.g — Storm Craft — Dusty Milly) Uncle Frank has grown from strength to strength in a very short time and is a real credit to his connections. He is trying his hoofs in the top grade for the first time and therefore needs time to catch the rhythm; he probaly will in the short term.

SIEMPRE BUENO: (6.ch.h — Market Rally — La Reina) — Did well when finishing just over a length behind Chace The Great on last over five furlongs straight. Now with two extra furlongs to deal with, Siempre Bueno might find it a bit taxing to manage, especially against these rivals. Siempre Bueno will be seen early in the race but should not be able to hold the charge of his opponents when the real test unfolds in the straight.

SEEKING MY DREAM: (6.ch.h — Seeking The Glory Alsafra) Has not been at his best this season as injury issues are still hampering him. Seeking My Dream finished way behind Chace The Great (five straight) but should be more at home going seven furlongs, with his last effort being probably a warm-up effort for this race. Working fairly well but has a lot to do if he is to win.

PERFECT NEIGHBOUR: (8-dkb.g — Natural Selection — Desperatehousewife) Obviously prepping for the longer races to come later in the year.

BIGDADDYKOOL: (5.b.g — Sorrentino — Beware Baby) Has not been at his best in 2018. Bigdaddykool ,even with the blinkers off tomorrow, is going to find it very difficult to win. Needs to go longer to be really effective.

MONEY MAGNET: (4.ch. f — Nuclear Wayne — Jazzy Jet) Did fairly well over the five straight recently when finishing less than two lengths behind Chace The Great and Siempre Bueno. Seven furlongs is probably much more to the liking of Money Magnet and a winning effort in the Eros is certainly not beyond this talented filly.

SHE’S A MANEATER: (4.b.f — Natural Selection — Ahwhofah) For the first time in her distinguished career, She’s A Maneater finished out of the frame when beaten by Houdini’s Magic, Dontae and Bigdaddykool on June 18. In that race over nine furlongs, She’s A Maneater stumbled badly in a puff of dust on a dry track and was not able to recover. She came out of the race with some nicks but has recovered well. The distance is good for the Horse of the Year, and she is going to prove very difficult to beat even while giving away the weight again.