Despite the existence of two prize races on today’s nine-race schedule, the top-rated three-year-old and upward Open Allowance — in which fifth-place Mouttet Mile finisher Perfect Brew returns to compete against competitors down in class — is considered the major attraction.

Perfect Brew, one of the most improved horses in training at present, came from far behind runners to finished 9 ¾ lengths behind American-bred Rough Entry in the Caribbean’s most lucrative race, the US$150,000 Mouttet Mile on December 2 over one mile (1,600m).

Perfect Brew, running over seven furlongs (1,400m) against an ordinary field, could easily beat his rivals today for his fourth win of the season. Perfect Brew has been working well in preparation for this event, and based on his Mouttet Mile performance alone, the four-year-old bay gelding should have an easy trip to the winners’ enclosure. The Bern Identity–Moonlight Brew progeny will be ridden by Tevin Foster and will weigh a maximum of 57.0kgs (126 lb).

The most intriguing aspect of the race, however, is the competition for second place, which may be filled by any of the other four runners due to their comparable talent.

However, Rani Bangala and Rainsville are preferred over Freedom Street and Laban based on their present form and performances.

The race is positioned as the seventh event on the nine-race card with a post time of 3:40 pm. First race is at 12:00 pm.

Rani Bangala, trained by Robert Pearson, has also been on the improvement this season, notching five wins from 13 starts. The four-year-old bay filly had her four-race winning streak halted when finishing down the track in the St Elizabeth Distaff on November 11 behind Desert of Malibu. In this small field, Rani Bangala is expected to impact the outcome mainly as the early leader and if given space upfront, is capable of holding her gallop.

Rainsville, a stablemate of Perfect Brew, came off the pace to beat rivals in the recent Chairman’s Trophy over nine furlongs and 25 yards (1,820m) on December 2. This vastly improved horse has been making rapid progress at this stage of his career, with this call representing another thrust in his development.

Freedom Street and Laban are going to play their part but it is unlikely that their efforts will be telling ones.

The trophy races on the programme are the $1.01-million Andrew HB Aguilar Memorial Cup, a native-bred two-year-old maiden special weight event over one-mile (1,600m), and the $1.25-million Will In Charge Trophy, an Overnight Allowance contest for three-year-olds and upward, also over one mile.

The frontrunners for the Andrew HB Aguilar are Matuso, Rosetta, and Blu Sensation. Blu Sensation has been given the edge based on his most recent showing, when he placed second to Butter Cup over seven furlongs on November 19. Blu Sensation finished that race by a neck over Matuso, who finished third, and the same outcome is expected tonight, with Blu Sensation beating Matuso and Rosetta. D Head Cornerstone, Further and Beyond, and Outbidder should strive for supremacy in the Will In Charge Trophy. A titanic struggle is predicted because the three runners are all talented, with nothing separating them.

Ones to watch:

Race 1) Hedge Craft/Bad Investment/Oh My

Race 2) Blue Sensation/Matuso/Rosetta

Race 3) Sunshine Cat/Nala’s Bushman/Bin Laden

Race 4) Sneaky Joe/Don Vincenzo/King Air

Race 5) Eazy Peazy/Powerofherhighness/Mr Senator

Race 6) Cold Pursuit/Sensational Satin/Stanislaus

Race 7) Perfect Brew/Rainsville/Rani Bangala

Race 8) D Head Cornerstone/Outbidder/Further and Beyond

Race 9) Princess Sylvia/AKA Storm/The Exodus