LADY T (left), with jockey Ian Spence aboard, disposes of RIO INFINITO (Allen Maragh) in deep stretch to win the Jamaica Licensed Bookmakers 1000 Guineas over 1600 metres for native bred 3-y-o fillies at Caymanas Park on Saturday, April 7. Both are expected to fight out the finish in the mile and quarter Jamaica Oaks today. - Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer

Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer

Fourteen native bred three-year-old fillies are down to face the starter for the season's third classic, the mile and quarter Jamaica Oaks at Caymanas Park today.

The well-supported 'Ladies Day' 11-race programme also features the Lady Geeta Trophy graded stakes over 1200 metres to be contested by eight starters, including the 2004 'Horse of the Year' DISTINCTLY IRISH who shoulders customary top weight of 60.5kg, and the horse who lowered his colours over the distance last time out, CLOCK WORK, not to mention the 2006 Caribbean Sprint champion RAMPAGE. CLOCK WORK will have to be caught.

On a day when CTL will honour 14 women in the field of sports, the Oaks features a rematch between the recent 1000 Guineas upset winner LADY T and the runner-up RIO INFINITO from the stables of Dwight Chen and Gary Subratie, respectively.

Again present are the first five past the post in the Guineas - OUTFITHER (third), GRACE MARIE (fourth) and RIGGED TO WIN (fifth), along with the beaten Guineas favourite, Percy Hussey's FIRST PRINCESS, who finished a well-beaten 10th, but now reprogrammed for the longer distance, should step up considerably on that performance with the blinkers now removed.

On the surface it would appear that the winner will come from this group. Strong arguments can be put across for both LADY T, with Ian Spence again in the saddle and RIO INFINITO, to be ridden by former champion Wesley Henry in place of Allen Maragh who is sitting out a two-day suspension.

LADY T, who came from well behind to win the Guineas at the gigantic odds of 71-1, has come out of that race quite well despite the reduced preparation time between the Guineas and the Oaks (two weeks) this year. Judging from her manner of victory on April 7, she will definitely stay the distance even though her breeding (Natural Selection-Tantrum) would suggest otherwise. I think she has an outstanding chance of completing the double in a year when class among the fillies is in limited supply.

Still, preference is for RIO INFINITO who overcame a sluggish start in the 1000 Guineas and in the end was caught by the fast-finishing LADY T in the last 100 metres.

Trainer Gary Subratie, who saddles as many as four runners in the race, is expectinga big run from RIO INFINITO and strongly believes he can turn the tables on LADY T. Subratie also saddles PRINCESS REA and XPRESS CARD, both of whom finished down the field in the Guineas, as well as GEISHA'S ART. But his main hope lies with RIO INFINITO who has secured a good draw on the outside of the field and should be able to run a more relaxed race for the first six furlongs.

If greater patience is exercised from the saddle on this occasion, I believe RIO INFINITO can get the job done.

Other firm fancies on the card are BELLA IN BLOOM in the second race, ALL FIRED UP in the fifth, TANTESOLDE in the sixth, RING OF FIRE in the ninth and CLASSY BOY PETE in the 11th and final.