The St Catherine Cup, the first major sprint race for the 2024 racing season, takes place on tomorrow’s 10-race programme.

The three-year-old and upward Open Allowance contest will see two emerging talents, Desert of Malibu and Emperorofthecats, locking horns in what should be an interesting battle over 6 furlongs (1,200m).

Below, The Jamaica Observer‘s The Supreme Racing Guide takes a closer look at each runner and their chances of winning the major share of the $1.4-million purse of offer.

1. PRESS CONFERENCE: (6 ch g by Twilight Time – Lady Shankari) – A winner on last who is going to find it very difficult getting by the top two here.

2. SISTREN TREASURE (USA): (4 b f by Brethern – Katira) – Finished third behind stablemate Atomic in the Ian Levy Cup over 8 ½ furlongs (1,900m) on January 1. Sistren will be left behind sprinting against these.

3. MADELYN’S SUNSHINE (USA): (5 dkb/b m by Joe’s Son Joey – Madelyn’s Finest) – Capable sort who has been doing quite well in her races of late. Madelyn’s Sunshine was beaten by both Emperorofthecats and Desert of Malibu in her last two outings, which makes her chances of winning here very slim, seeing that both runners are present. However, Madelyn’s Sunshine, given her class and talent, could fill the trifecta spot.

4. EMPEROROFTHECATS: (5 b g by Emperor Hall – Laws of the Cat) – has been one of the most improved horses in training at present. Emperorofthecats comes into this race on the backend of three consecutive victories. His last two wins were impressive efforts coming off a seven-month break. Emperorofthecats won going 6 furlongs in a time of 1:13.0 on December 10 before outsprinting rivals at 5 ½ furlongs (1,100m) in a time of 1:06.0. Emperorofthecats could take down the favourite here.

5. LUKSOL (USA): (5 b m by Tapiture – Stunning Taste) – Can be safely bypassed here.

6. DESERT OF MALIBU (USA): (5 ch m by Malibu Moon – Lady Digger) – Has the distinction of passing the winning post in front in her five starts on local soil. However, Desert of Malibu had her number taken down in the Bruceontheloose Trophy over 6 ½ furlongs on December 2, 2023. She won the race by 2 ½ lengths in a time of 1:19.0 but was disqualified for causing interference to Madelyn’s Sunshine going into the half-mile turn. Desert of Malibu‘s previous four wins have been nothing but impressive, winning over the 5 straight twice in 59.4 and 59.0, respectively, 5 ½ furlongs in 1:05.2, and over one mile (1,600m) in 1:38.2. Desert of Malibu is tipped to win here.

7. FREEDOM STREET: (5 b g by Uncaptured – Nofashionsense) – Continues to earn for his stables and should continue doing so.