DESPITE being off the board in her last two starts, Madelyn’s Sunshine packs enough class and talent to brush aside rivals in the $1.14-million Millard Ziadie Memorial Cup feature race at Caymanas Park today.

Madelyn’s Sunshine finished seventh by 38 lengths behind God of Love on December 10, 2022, and then was fifth by over 18 lengths behind I’ve Got Magic on January 14, 2023. Those two six-furlong (1,200m) races were at the Open Allowance level, and they were the only times she finished out of the frame from eight starts, comprising four wins.

Now stepping down in grade to Overnight Allowance company to compete for this silverware, the four-year-old, American-bred, dark bay/brown mare Madelyn’s Sunshine, given her fine speed, could run rivals into the ground in this one.

Prior to those two tame efforts Madelyn’s Sunshine was just a length behind Excessive Force in the Port Royal Sprint, also over six furlongs, in November last year. That performance is much better than this grouping, and based on her 1:04.3 clocking for five and half furlongs (1,100m) — the same distance as today’s main event — Madelyn’s Sunshine is going to take quite a beating here.

The bustling Robert “Hardball” Halledeen will ride again for the champion and current leading trainer Jason DaCosta. Madelyn’s Sunshine will carry a top weight of 57.0kgs (126lb).

The three-year-old and upward contest is the eighth of nine races on the card with a post time of 4:30 pm. First race is at 12:15 pm.

It’s not as easy as one-two-three for Madelyn’s Sunshine because if the Joe’s Son Joey progeny should fail to sparkle then the consistent Nuclear Noon, trained by Anthony Nunes, could land the gambit.

With three runs already for the season and all three efforts being in the top four, Nuclear Noon comes into this race in good form. The five-year-old bay horse last raced on February 22 when he finished in third place by 4¾ lengths behind Emperorofthecats and Money Monster in the Ash Wednesday Trophy over six and a half furlongs (1,300m).

Nuclear Noon is expected to report for this assignment in fine fettle and, given his running style, could be a serious contender for top honours. Tevin Foster will ride.

Madelyn’s Sunshine’s stablemate Eagle One could be the one likely to spring the upset here. The six-year-old, American-bred bay gelding has the most wins by any horse in the line-up with seven victories. Eagle One, who has been struggling of late, looked like a different animal in his exercise gallops, working five and a half furlongs in 1:08.4, with five furlongs clocking 1:02.4 alongside Fred The Great.

Eagle One has back class and should put in a good performance here. Reyan Lewis has been called upon to do riding honours.

Helicopter, Big Big Daddy, Generational, Alexa’s Dream, Atonement, and Taurus Boy make up the rest of the field.

Ones to watch:

Race 1) Money Marshall/Hunter’s Ridge/Storming

Race 2) Power Ranking/Tekapunt/Our Angel

Race 3) Mine That Cat/Fearless Champion/Blood Song

Race 4) Six Avenue/Tiger Bella/Hopenperseverance

Race 5) Muzzo/Ha Gow Siu Mei/AKA Storm

Race 6) Garrincha/XY Soul/Just An Illusion

Race 7) Maya/Tocatbetheglory/ZD Eye

Race 8) Madelyn’s Sunshine/Nuclear Noon/Eagle One

Race 9) First Born/Mr Fete/Rose Apple