DESPITE a poor effort in the recent Mouttet Mile (invitational), the Jason DaCosta-conditioned Make Up Artist packs enough class and talent to beat rivals in the $1.14-million Security Department Trophy, the main attraction on the nine-race card at Caymanas Park on Saturday.

Make Up Artist was the last of 16 runners in the Mouttet Mile (invitational) during the one-mile (1,600m) event on December 3, 2022. She was never a factor in that race and finished by over 24 lengths behind winner Excessive Force.

However, the Adore The Gold — Lipstick Lily offspring drops down in class to compete for this trophy and she does so in good form, appearing to be the horse to beat on paper. Make Up Artist won at this distance last year in a time of 1:00.2 and, based on her running style, she will have to be caught.

Make Up Artist had put in two impressive spins coming into the race. She galloped out of the gates at five furlongs (1,000m) in 1:00.0, with the first four furlongs (800m) timed at 45.4 on Saturday, December 24, 2022. During her last work on Saturday, December 31 she also galloped out of the gates at five furlongs in 1:00.0, with the first four furlongs coming in 47.0.

Those two workouts speak for themselves because if she shows up in good shape then this should not be a race for Make Up Artist. Robert Halledeen rides.

The three-year-old and upward Overnight Allowance contest over five furlongs straight is positioned as the final event on the card with a post time of 4:50 pm. First race is at noon.

Make Up Artist could be kept honest throughout the race by the likes of The Good Witch, Nuclear Noon, Curlin’s Affair, and Sparkle Diamond.

The Good Witch finished a length behind Emperorofthecats over the straight on December 18. If this foreigner can reproduce that effort again then The Good Witch will be running for a slice of the pie.

Nuclear Noon was off the board in his last race over 6 furlongs (1,200m) behind I’ve Got Magic on December 11. That was Nuclear Noon‘s first effort after returning from an injury break, and having already won over this distance on April 3, 2022, in 59.4, he is going to make a telling bid.

Curlin’s Affair is struggling for form, finishing down the track in his last three outings, thereby suggesting that winning this one is limited. However, he has kept better company, and given the nature of this race Curlin’s Affair can turn around his form and challenge for top honours.

Sparkle Diamond has not fulfilled his early promise; he has raced six times over this distance and has won only once. He will need to be at his very best to beat them, plus he has had his issues with injuries.

Ones to watch

Race 1) Fearless Vibe/Slamsilano/Six Avenue

Race 2) Big Guy In TheSky/Roulette Boss/Modern Miracle

Race 3) Regal and Royal/Iannai Links/Ianzha Links

Race 4) Secret Traveller/Zabratone/Another Bullet

Race 5) Wifey Sez So/Stanislaus/Supreme Star

Race 6) Manaco/Sniper Man/Sensational Satin

Race 7) Lion of Ekati/Roramia/Don Vincenzo

Race 8) Rhosa The Warrior/Heroine/Salud

Race 9) Make Up Artist/Sparkle Diamond/Curlin’s Affair