THE top two leading two-year-olds at present — Atomica and Golden Wattle — lock horns once again as they battle for supremacy in the second staging of $3-million Portmore Cup feature at Caymanas Park today.

The last time these two met was in the seven-furlong (1,400m) Thornbird Stakes on April 2 when Atomica came out as the winner, sprinting home by six lengths over Golden Wattle in a time of 1:27.0.

Unbeaten in three career starts, Atomica became the leading filly heading in the Classics after that win in the Thornbird Stakes. The chestnut filly again faces most of her recent rivals but has risen in the scale considerably, especially when matched against her main rival Golden Wattle, the champion two-year-old from last season.

Atomica moved up from 54.0kgs (119lb) to share top weight with Golden Wattle at 57.0kgs (126lb).

This filly has already shown that she can be on the headlines or come from behind, making it difficult to go against her. Atomica has been travelling well at exercise, galloping an easy 1:13.3 for six furlongs on Sunday morning (May 1, 2022).

Golden Wattle performed really well on her seasonal debut when finishing second to Atomica in the Thornbird Stakes. Golden Wattle must have benefited from that run and now, going a half-furlong longer, and based on her running style of coming from behind, this chestnut filly can turn the tables on Atomica and defeat the rest as well.

The native-bred, three-year-old, Grade Two event for fillies only, which is the final stop for this grouping on the ‘Road to the Triple Crown’, will be run over seven and a half furlongs (1,500m) and is positioned at the 10th event on the 11-race card. The race is set to go off at 4:55 pm, with first race at 11:25 am.

The race is not limited to these runners mentioned as Nefertari, Sunset Silhoutte, and Silent Mission could spring the surprise.

Nefertari flopped when finishing ninth by 28 lengths over seven and a half furlongs on April 17 behind Power and Gilbert. Something was not right with Nefertari that day but turning around 28 lengths here against the best of the three-year-old fillies is going to be a difficult task. The Portmore will define the future aspirations of Nefertari.

Sunset Silhoutte finally came good on her fifth career start when easily putting away rivals (fillies only) over seven furlongs (1,400m) on April 17. Then Sunset Silhoutte won by four lengths in a time of 1:27.3 which gave an indication that this well-bred filly (half-sister to She’s A Maneater) is getting her act together. While repeating in The Portmore is not on the agenda, Sunset Silhoutte can surprise the lot.

Silent Mission came home a good fourth behind Power and Gilbert on last when finishing 4 ½ lengths away. The bay filly has been well prepared for this outing and should not be denied a chance.

Meanwhile, another battle is on the horizon as top guns Billy Whizz, Mahogany and God of Love face off in the Overnight Allowance contest (six furlongs) which will not be short of excitement.

This Overnight call also sees the return to active competition of last year’s 2000 Guineas winner Miniature Man, plus long-standing jockey Allen Maragh is back in the saddle on local soil.

Billy Whizz ran well on his seasonal bow when he finished second behind Nuclear Noon over the straight course on April 3 by 1 3/4 lengths. With the distance increased and more to his liking, Billy Whizz, who has been training well for this, has every chance of winning — but coming from the one draw, he has to get out quickly.

Mahogany was expected to win first time out this season on April 18 in a five-and-a-half furlong (1,100m) contest but then the Ian Parsard trainee finished three parts of a length behind Runaway Algo in a time of 1:05.3. Mahogany should now be fitter and ready for battle and once he uses his speed he’ll be difficult to catch.

God of Love finished a disappointing seventh behind Further and Beyond in the recent Saint Cecelia Cup. He steps down here to compete which makes him a live contender. God of Love is talented enough to stay behind the leaders before pouncing if the pacesetters falter.

Ones to watch

Race 1) Papa Albert/Riddim Up/Fourthousand

Race 2) Buckaluck/Storm Valley/Pakman

Race 3) City Counsel/Mr Lyndhurst/Awesome Aviator

Race 4) Blood Fire/Uncle Vinnie/High Diplomacy

Race 5) Miss HJF/Fearless Vibe/Tocatbetheglory

Race 6) Smoke Haze/Quanna/Better Best

Race 7) Taurus Boy/Unruly Boss/Cruella

Race 8) Mila’s All That/She’s Fantastic/Berlino’s Choice

Race 9) Pretty Girl/Hidden Valley/Desha

Race 10) Atomica/Golden Wattle/Sunset Silhoutte

Race 11) Mahogany/Billy Whizz/God of Love