Seven-year-old bay horse Neo Star (Neolithic – Angel Dreams) has not had the season his connections would have wanted, but this afternoon he gets everything in his favour.

The Anthony Nunes-trained imported runner lines up in the $1.25-million Menudo Trophy feature at Caymanas Park over nine furlongs and 25 yards (1,820m), a trip where he has already proven he can win.

His only victory from 12 starts this year came over this exact two-turn course and distance on May 7, when he powered home to beat Don Kwesi by two and a quarter lengths in a smart 1:58.00 minutes. It was the type of performance that suggested bigger things were to come.

Instead, Neo Star has struggled since. Stepped up against the best horses on the ground, he has failed to reproduce that form, turning in a series of below-par runs that left his supporters disappointed.

Even when dropped to this Overnight Allowance company on October 17, he could only manage fourth, finishing 24 lengths behind Gallant Groom over a mile (1,600m). Oil Machine was second that day and Whizz Kidd third, and both turn up again to oppose him.

But today is different. Back over his favourite distance, against rivals he knows well, Neo Star has his best chance in months to return to the winners’ enclosure. If he runs anywhere near his May 7 form, they will have a hard time beating him.

The contest is positioned as the seventh event on the nine-race card with a post time of 3:45 pm. The first race is at 11:50 am.

Sheer Delight, Oil Machine and Whizz Kidd look set to battle for the minor placings, while Nebuchadnezzar and California Gold could be left trailing.

Sheer Delight has been struggling to find form in recent times, but the American-bred runner still has the ability to be competitive. He has been training well coming into this race and is expected to put in a good effort.

Oil Machine has been holding his own, winning twice from 13 starts this season. He brings consistency to the table and in this small field of six, he looks the main danger to the favourite.

Whizz Kidd pops up every now and then with a surprising effort. He has continued to show that he can compete at this level, and another strong performance is expected from him here.

Ones to watch

Race 1)
Laban/Riches to Rags/Rock-Ola

Race 2)
Sonny T and Chippy/Shooting Star/King Piye

Race 3)
Raging River/Enthusiastic/Humilty

Race 4)
Following Wave/Pippa/Aliya’s Will

Race 5)
Nebraska/Delta Gamma/Call Her Norray

Race 6)
Cosmic Force/Restoration/The Gifted One

Race 7)
Neo Star/Oil Machine/Whizz Kidd

Race 8)
Pickleball/Mr Carter/Sensational Destiny

Race 9)
Alkebulan/Another Mission/Solace