Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer
MEDICAL ACCOUNT, one of five winners for leading jockey Omar Walker, moves away from long-time leader UNKNOWN VARIABLE (left) and the runner-up, DANCING SAM (partly hidden at centre), to win the round five Open Allowance race at Caymanas Park, on Wednesday. He was the 1-9 favourite. - Colin Hamilton/Freelance Writer
Today has been designated Jockey Club Day at Caymanas Park, the 10-race programme featuring a number of trophy races, including the Jockey Club Stakes (overnight allowance) over 1400 metres.
In addition, the card also features the 2-y-o maiden special for the Lester Sanders Memorial Trophy over 1400 metres in which THE GUARDIAN, stable-companion GOOD HOPE and JOSIE WALES (working well) are poised to fight out the finish.
There is also the Royal Dad Trophy to be contested by eight starters over the circular nine course, including the much-improved SCHIZANDRA, the imported filly FIRST IN THE SAND and last Saturday's Royal Crest Trophy winner, IVAN THE TERRIBLE, who will not be inconvenienced by the extended trip.
Jockey club members
The remaining races for which trophies are being offered carry the names of prominent Jockey Club members such as the current Minister of National Security, Derrick Smith, Keith Binns, Dr. Paul Wright, past president Dr. David Levy and, of course, the reigning champion owner, Howard Hamilton.
The Jockey Club Stakes, for three-year-olds and up, has attracted 13 starters and indications are it will come down to a four-cornered tussle among NATURAL DESIRE, HIDALGO, JET BLASTER and the useful three-year-old filly, GRACE MARIE, who gets the ideal trip on this occasion.
Trained by Barrington Rambally, GRACE MARIE, who finished a close second to LADY T in the Oaks and was fourth in the 1000 Guineas, failed in her bid to complete the hat-trick when stepping up to overnight company on September 26, finishing three lengths third to THE SMOKER over 1600 metres. However, she will prefer the reduced trip and should run well with 50.0kg.
HIDALGO, who was a leading classic contender last season, ran below expectations behind PITTACUS when stepping down to this level on September 12, but has been looking up at exercise in preparation for this trophy.
Trainer Errol Waugh holds a strong hand with both HIDALGO and NATURAL DESIRE, one who is stepping down in class to vie for this trophy and along with the very fit JET BLASTER, who was a close fourth (finishing well to IVAN THE TERRIBLE) over 1200 metres at this level last Saturday, should be in contention at the end.
The Dennis Lee-trained JET BLASTER should welcome the additional furlong and with Omar Walker riding in such tremendous form, will have lots of supporters.
Preference, however, is for NATURAL DESIRE, who has kept better company in recent months, having finished a strong second to DISTINCTLY IRISH in the grade one Prime Minister's Stakes over 2000 metres on August 6 when having none other than the reigning Horse of the Year, MIRACLE MAN, behind in third.
NATURAL DESIRE (fit) will not find the trip too short and now dropped in class, his final rattle should prove hard to withstand under five-time champion Trevor 'Slicer' Simpson.
I also like BLUE CHIP to win the third race ahead of EL PEQUENO, THE GUARDIAN in the fourth, SUMMER WIND (Walker up) in the fifth, SCHIZANDRA in the seventh for the Royal Dad Trophy and CHOSEN ONE in the 10th and final.
