With the field virtually the same as it was when he copped the Nigel B Nunes Memorial Cup, the improving Toona Ciliata should again have little issues against rivals in adding The Gladiator Trophy to his accolade.

The talented three-year-old gelding is one of six starters for title-chasing trainer Anthony Nunes in the eight-horse Open Allowance event, to be contested over seven furlongs (1,400m) at Caymanas Park today at 3:30 pm.

First post on the 10-race programme is 12:10 pm.

Following his 4 ¾-length win in the Nigel B Nunes Memorial Cup over 9 furlongs and 25 yards on November 27 in a decent time of 1:53.3 minutes, just outside of the Stakes record of 1:52.1 minutes, today’s contest, which is one of three trophy races on the card, should be another easy romp for Toona Ciliata.

With the first-place slice of the $1.15-million purse seemingly safe, the likes of Fayrouz, Bruce Wayne, Exhilarate, Dontae, and Houdini’s Magic are also expected to earn for Nunes, who is aiming to maintain a sizeable lead over champion trainer Wayne DaCosta.

However, Ian Parsard’s tough campaigner Superluminal, who finished in sixth position in the recent Diamond Mile, is back among Open Allowance company and is expected to give of his usual best, and should prove to be the only threat to Toona Ciliata.

Veteran campaigner Campesino from the barn of Philip Feanny, who finished fifth in yesterday’s ninth event over 1000 metres straight, completes the line-up for three-year-olds and upward.

The Ron Ron Trophy, a Restricted Stakes event going over six furlongs (1,200m), is a more open affair as more than half of the 16 runners entered have a chance of winning.

Roy Rogers, Latapy, YetAgain, Casual Drink, Cryptocurrency, Universal Boss, and Trevor’s Choice should be the main contenders.

However, if Dennis Lee’s Roy Rodgers can reproduce his recent performance from the United Racehorse Trainers’ Association Trophy over nine furlongs and 25 yards (1,820m), he could make the race a mere formality.

This gutsy three-year-old led the field all the way to the furlong (200m) pole before being gobbled up by eventual winner, Crimson. Now with a shorter distance to travel, the fleet-footed Roy Rodgers from a clean break will require a lot of catching.

Phillip Feanny’s Cryptocurrency was just caught on the wire by Princess Ava going 6 ½ furlongs on November 8. But with a half furlong less to travel on this occasion, Cryptocurrency has a glorious chance of winning this one.

YetAgain was a winner on last going 6 ½ furlongs (1,300m) on November 16, in a time of 1:20.2 minutes. Though he didn’t beat much on that occasion, he appears to be on the improve, and the services of in-form jockey Dane Nelson could see YetAgain bang in contention at the end.

Meanwhile, any number can play in the Andrew H B Aguilar Memorial Cup, the other trophy event for maiden two-year-olds going over eight furlongs (1,600m).

Ones to watch

Race 1) Two Steps Up/Supreme Authority/First K Boy

Race 2) Struck by Grace/Mount Zion King/Evasive Action/Mistrial

Race 3) Royal Girl/Bullet Raj/Lucky Nine/ Reign Over All

Race 4) Western Wheels/Eye Candy/Storm Valley/Uncle Freddie

Race 5) Money Call/Ratio/Dynamax Cat/Breaking Storm

Race 6) Double Deal/No Money friend/Smokescreen/Bigman Union

Race 7) Toona Ciliata/Superluminal/Bruce Wayne

Race 8) Cry Cry Baby/Ashley’s Glory/Hecandance/Supper Stunner

Race 9) Let Him Fly/My Time Now/ Last Lick/Miss Gabbidon/Sencity

Race 10) Roy Rodgers/Yet Again/Cryptocurrency/Casual Drink