FRESH off a break from the Ian Levy Cup win which capped his impressive 2022 season, Ian Parsard’s Mahogany should have no problems brushing rivals aside in today’s feature contest for the Eileen Cliggott Memorial Trophy over six and a half furlongs (1,300m) at Caymanas Park.

The three-year-old and upwards Graded Stakes event has attracted a small but talented field of five runners to vie for a purse of $1.5 million but, by all indications, it should be a mere formality for Mahogany and his connections.

This event, slotted as race number eight on the 10-race card, is scheduled to go to post at 3:45 pm. First post is 11:30 am.

Having won five races, complemented by two second-place finishes in eight starts last year, Mahogany has rightfully been mentioned among top contenders for Horse of the Year honours. The now six-year-old, middle-distance stalwart’s only time finishing outside of the top three last year was when he placed fourth behind another Horse of the Year contender, Excessive Force, in the lucrative Mouttet Mile on December 3. However, Mahogany, the Sensational Slam –Mete-orite progeny, returned to put the foreigner in his place in that Ian Levy Cup event on December 31.

Since then Mahogany has been very active at exercise, signalling his readiness for this seasonal bow in which he should extend his rich vein of form, despite expectedly shouldering top weight of 57.0kg (126lb). Champion jockey Dane Dawkins will be in the saddle.

Gary Subratie’s Duke, who is out for the third time in a matter of weeks this year, is again expected to play second fiddle here, much like he did behind Phillip Feanny’s importee I’ve Got Magic on January 14 and 28.

Though getting on in age, the seven-year-old grey Duke continues to display his versatility and worth, and sooner or later will find easier opportunities in which he will be the main protagonist.

Meanwhile She’s My Destiny, one of two starters for champion trainer Jason DaCosta, is no stranger to rolling with the proverbial big boys and should give another good account of herself in this small field.

The Bern Identity–Woman Is Boss filly produced some credible performances last year, winning five races with one second-place finish in 11 starts. One of her victories was over Duke in a five-and-half-furlong (1,100m) event on December 26.

DaCosta’s other starter, King Arthur is also out for the first time this year but has very little form to recommend, which suggests he is not only here to make up numbers but also to get the run in for future events.

Anthony Nunes’ Curlin’s Affair is another useful sort who is participating in his third outing this year and should benefit from the experience.

Ones to Watch

Race 1) Ooh So Long/ Heroine/Select Me/Millinium Star

Race 2) Azaria/Pharoah It Is/Another Bullet/Sir John

Race 3) Four Fiver/Lion Of Ekati/Slam/Salute The Deputy

Race 4) Bazinga/Volatility/Major Danger

Race 5) Matriarch/Sir Frederick/Fourthousand/Timetosaygoodbye

Race 6) Uncle Vinnie/Miss Linda Wray/Kingswood/Olde Wharf

Race 7) Silver Soul/Absolute Blue/Gone A Negril/Sensational Storm

Race 8) Mahogany/She’s My Destiny/Duke

Race 9) Bella Bella/Wow How/Kissmet/Answer My Prayers

Race 10) Ianzha Links/Regal And Royal/Classical Orb