Flybluejet set for take off in centre stage event
FOLLOWING a fairly positive outing on debut, Phillip Feanny’s Flybluejet is now poised to register her first win on local soil as she headlines a small band of runners in a three-year-old non-winner of two race and a three-year-old and upwards imported maidens contest, which take centre stage at Caymanas Park today.
Flybluejet is one of three foreigners who are down to lock horns with two locals for the Backstretch Support Trophy in the 5 1/2-furlong (1,100m) event scheduled to go to post at 1:10 pm. First post on the nine-race programme is at noon.
The Solomon Sharp-owned Flybluejet was competitive throughout on debut in the six-furlong Dye Job Stakes event. In fact, she recovered well from a slow start to tackle Jason DaCosta’s That’s A Fact on the lead before Gary Subratie’s Sistren Treasure swept by both in the stretch run.
Flybluejet’s presence at exercise indicates her readiness for this encounter but with only four finals to contend with she will take some beating. Note that Flybluejet races with the visor and figure 8 on, which means she should be more alert at the start for jockey Reyan Lewis who retains the ride.
Rejected Raja, conditioned by Robert Pearson, appears to be her only real danger but will nevertheless need to be close to the filly if he intends to lower her colours.
He was a winner on debut over 4 1/2 furlongs (900m) on October 30 of last year but was then put in his place by Sistren Treasure when contending for the Dye Job Stakes over 6 furlongs on December 17. A case could be made for Rejected Raja as he was slow out the blocks on that occasion. However he has been taken to task at exercise since, working alongside the highly thought of Goliath The Great, and should prove more competitive this time around. Note: The figure 8 has been fitted on Rejected Raja who will now be guided by Robert Halledeen.
Of the others Cosmic Force, also conditioned by Feanny, seems the next best entrant. This colt finished down the track when out for the first time against Fred The Great and company over 6 furlongs (1,200m) on December 31 of last year but he should be better served from that experience and has been steadily prepared coming into this, which indicates that an improved effort should be on the cards.
Owen Sharpe’s importee Box Box has been missing from the action since finishing down the track on debut over 5 1/2 furlongs on December 3. That may have been due to the fact that she took a few bumps, which could be used as an excuse for her poor performance. Box Box has been busy at exercise since then and so it is left to be seen how well she will factor on this occasion.
The same could be said about Subratie’s Sizzling Sista K who is the oldest and most experienced runner in the line-up. However, she showed little in her two outings as a three-year-old last year, finishing 10th on both occasions over 5 furlongs straight and 4 1/2 furlongs on October 29 and December 11, respectively. Though this seems a much easier assignment, she might find her younger rivals giving very little away.
Meanwhile, in another highly attractive event, Spencer Chung’s talented American filly Champion Bubbler, to again be partnered with Reyan Lewis, seems set to prance her way to a third-consecutive victory at Caymanas Park. This as she is basically up against the same opposition in a four-year-old and upwards non-winners of four races and imported four-year-olds and upwards non-winners of three races over 5 1/2 furlongs (1,100m).
Ones to watch
Race 1) Heroine/Nikita B/ Code of Conduct
Race 2) Willodeen/Smarty Tradition/Flying Bullet