Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer
The 5-2 favourite HOOKEDONJAZZ, one of three winners for apprentice Omar Walker, powers home an easy winner of the sixth race over 1600 metres at Caymanas Park on Wednesday. Walker also won aboard FOX MAN and MARINERO. - Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer
The two-year-old maiden special for the Percival Martin Memorial Cup over the straight five course and the $2450,000-$210,000 claiming race for the Mortimer 'Morty' Heron Memorial Cup over 1820 metres, are the co-features at Caymanas Park today.
Post time is 12:45 p.m. and 10 races are scheduled.
Nine have been declared for the Percy Martin Memorial and indications are it will provide the Philip Feanny-trained SECRET HIDEAWAY with his maiden win.
This improving bay colt by Law Of The Sea out of Zaza really caught the eye on his third outing when failing by half a length to catch his more fancied stable companion RANKING over the course under top weight of 57.0kg, in the process having the Anthony Nunes-trained LADY SILSILA behind in fifth.
Although she was beaten comfortably by SECRET HIDEAWAY in what was a fast-run race (59.3), LADY SILSILA renews rivalry on 2.0kg worse terms and looks held by her old rival once again.
Prior to that, SECRET HIDEAWAY finished a close third to THE BEST MAN over 1200 metres on February 21, a race in which he had every chance when a close up second a furlong out.
Having caught the eye at exercise coming into this race, SECRET HIDEAWAY, with Ian Spence again in the saddle, will prove hard to deny with 55.0kg, as none of the four debutantes seem forward enough to test him. So it will be left to old rival LADY SILSILA to follow him home.
Seven have been declared for the 'Morty' Heron Memorial Cup and this promises keen competition among the likes of CRUISING ALTITUDE, NIJINSKY'S WAR (regaining form), MAMBO, MICHAEL POWER and RAINBOW TRAIN, who relishes two-turn races.
The one to beat must surely be CRUISING ALTITUDE, who advertised his well-being on March 17 when finishing third in a blanket finish to RUCKUS over the straight five course.
The six-year-old horse from the stables of Lawrence Freemantle is even better suited to this trip and with Lasix re-administered for today's race, he should stave off MAMBO and RAINBOW TRAIN.
Other firm fancies on the card are CHINA TOWN to stave off EL PAQUENO in the second race, BLUE MAGIC in the third, AMERICAN DON to go one better in the fifth, CHOO CHOO CHOO in the sixth and the impressive MAJOR MAYER in the ninth for open allowance horses.
Bidding for his fourth consecutive win, MAJOR MAYER, to be ridden as usual by in-form Richard 'Biah' Mitchell for trainer Michael McIntosh, won by all of six lengths over 1800 metres when coming to the grade on March 7.
Despite the presence of the well-prepared LA REINA and the recent winners HIDALGO, NASATOL and CALABASH BAY, MAJOR MAYER is definitely one to follow until his colours are lowered. Twelve will run.
