Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer

Horses contesting the seventh race over the circular-nine course at Caymanas Park last Saturday leave the gates promptly in front of the stands. At left (No. 8) is the eventual winner LADY RAKWALAAY, ridden by apprentice Jason Simpson for veteran trainer Harry Jaghai. She was the 3-5 favourite in a field of eight. - Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer

SMALL FIELDS are the order of the day on the holiday programme at Caymanas Park featuring the Ash Wednesday Trophy overnight allowance race over 1300 metres.

With only eight races scheduled today, post time is 2:05 p.m. Only 59 horses have been declared and this small number is due to the problems associated with the licensing of owners and trainers which usually crops up at this time of the year.

The small fields have not really affected the Ash Wednesday Trophy. A competitive field of nine is down to face the starter.

Among the leading lights are CRUCIAL POINT, TOBAGO, THUNDER SQUAD, SIR KHAN, QUEEN OF MY HEART and BLUE MAGIC who was a beaten favourite behind 19-1 outsider ROMEZ and CRUCIAL POINT last Wednesday over 1100 metres.

The Anthony Ferguson-trained CRUCIAL POINT should come in for a lot of support by virtue of that performance which saw him finishing a close second (subsequently disqualified) to ROMEZ under a poor ride from his apprentice pilot.

Easier pace

Prior to that, CRUCIAL POINT was not disgraced when finishing 3 3/4 lengths fourth to the disqualified winner TOBAGO over 1200 metres on January 5. The seven-year-old gelding should relish the easier pace and with connections going for smart apprentice André Martin, CRUCIAL POINT, on the strength of last Wednesday's effort, is confidently expected to fight out the finish.

CRUCIAL POINT had both THUNDER SQUAD and the then favourite BLUE MAGIC behind in fourth and fifth places, respectively, an both are expected to prove competitive, he will more that likely have their measure now assured of stronger assistance from the saddle.

The one best equipped to stop CRUCIAL POINT is old rival TOBAGO, the mount of champion jockey Omar Walker.

After leading home PASSA PASSA and SKYWAY EXPRESS over 1200 metres on January 5, TOBAGO, under an atrocious ride from the apprentice Sandré Ridley, was disqualified and placed third for causing multiple interference in the last furlong.

Lost few marks

He came back a fortnight later and lost few marks in defeat when finishing 1 1/4 lengths fourth to ALLIEDFORCE and SIR KHAN over 1600 metres, a race in which he disputed the lead into the straight and still had every chance when a close-up second a furlong out.

With the reduced trip more to his liking and connections opting for Walker, TOBAGO should not fail for lack of assistance from the saddle.

He looks leniently treated with 52kg and despite the sound claims of CRUCIAL POINT and to a lesser extent THUNDER SQUAD and BLUE MAGIC, TOBAGO looks the right choice.

Other firm fancies on the card are the course specialist NUMERO UNO to lead home TASSY'S WHIP in the third race over the straight five course, MISS TWIST to go one better in the fifth, NATURALLY ROYAL to stave off FELICIDAD and RIO INFINITO in the sixth and YAMASHITA'S GOLD ahead of RED LION and MELINDAGATA in the nightpan.