THE Good Witch, after 14 starts on local soil, was expected to win her first already but the importee has failed to find the winners’ enclosure to date. However, the Adin Williams trainee has another opportunity to sparkle when she headlines a field of 10 in the $1.14-million top-rated Restricted Overnight Allowance contest going five furlongs (1,000m) round at Caymanas Park today.

Bred by Tale of the Cat out of the Crafty Prospector mare Witch Craft, The Good Witch came close to victory on four occasions but was narrowly beaten into second place by much better horses than in this line-up.

The Good Witch has raced three times this season thus far, with all three efforts resulting in off-board finishes. The Good Witch finished seventh behind Yellowstone in her most recent race on January 29 over five and a half furlongs (1,100 m), after getting into stride slowly at the start and being one-paced throughout.

The Good Witch, on December 18 of last year, came home in second place by a length behind Emperorofthecats in a sweet 58.2 seconds, showing that she has no problems when sprinting. Based on her class and capability already displayed, The Good Witch probably has her best opportunity of hitting the mark in this event. Former three-time champion jockey Anthony Thomas has the leg up here, suggesting that the six-year-old bay mare is coming to run.

Unruly Boss, Taurus Boy, Big Big Daddy, and Super Duper are capable runners who are expected to make bold bids here.

The three-year-old and upward call (non-winners of an Overnight Allowance lifetime) is positioned as the ninth event on the 10-race card with a post time of 4:35 pm. First race is at 11:45 am.

Unruly Boss was disappointing at the races on January 21 when finishing in 11th position by 13 lengths behind Perfect Brew over six and a half furlongs (1,300m). The Dennis Pryce trainee should go well over this reduced trip and run a much better race. Plus, leading rider this season Tevin Foster now holds the reins.

Taurus Boy finished a good third by 3½ lengths behind Yellowstone and Nuclear Noon over five and a half furlongs (1,100m) on January 29. If Taurus Boy can reproduce that effort then he can surely contest for top honours. For this to happen Taurus Boy will have to come from behind the leaders in this sprint. Omar Walker will ride for trainer Philip Feanny.

Big Big Daddy, who is trained by Gary Subratie, shows up every now and then with telling efforts and has the ability to figure here, but he is going to find the distance shorter than his requirements. Expect Big Big Daddy to be running on, with his chance of winning increased if the leading pack folds. Champion jockey Dane Dawkins remains in the saddle.

The very speedy mare Super Duper is going to love this galloping course. Super Duper finished down the track in 12th place behind Yellowstone on January 29 but, given her fine speed, the five-year-old bay mare is expected to blaze the early trial — and if she can hold on to the lead at the wire then she will surely win. Super Duper, on the other hand, has a habit of quitting too soon. Champion trainer Jason DaCosta has called Oshane Nugent to the saddle.

Also on tap is the $990,000 I Love February Trophy feature race, a maiden condition race for native-bred three-year-olds going the distance of seven furlongs (1,400m).

The contest is expected to be an easy win for Ian Parsard’s De Lye La, a bay filly bred by Bern Identity–Along. De Lye La made her debut on January 21 with all the rage but finished a disappointing fourth behind El Afortunado over five and a half furlongs. With the experience De Lye La should rebound with a rousing win here. Hot Stepper, Savvy Girl, and Phenomenal One are expected to run well.

Ones to watch

Race 1) Jupiter Man/She’s Hall Dat/King Air

Race 2) Our Angel/Outbidder/Tekapunt

Race 3) Sensational Storm/Dancinginthebreeze/Hopenperseverance

Race 4) Undecided/Hail Mary/Valiant

Race 5) Dodge This Link/Action Run/Nez Perce

Race 6) De Lye La/Savvy Girl/Hot Stepper

Race 7) Danny Spud/Donalmighty/Atlantic Blue

Race 8) Sensational Ending/Sure Curlin/Big Argument

Race 9) The Good Witch/Super Duper/Unruly Boss