Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer

Simpson

Twelve horses are down to contest the third running of the $1-million King's Plate Grade II feature (open allowance) at Caymanas Park today and what a race it promises to be.

Among the starters is the down-in-class DR SOCRATES who shoulders top weight of 60.5kg and in effect will be allowing lumps of weight to each of his opponents.

Trained by Wilfred Chin, the American-bred six-year-old horse was at one time owned by Howard Hamilton, who donated the King's Plate two years ago in honour of his brilliant local-bred sprinter A KING IS BORN, winner of the 2003 Jamaica Derby.

Significantly, in its two previous runnings, the race has been won by five-time champion jockey Trevor Simpson aboard the Howard Hamilton-owned SEATTLE'S GIRL in 2006 and AZULI last year. And this time Simpson is down to ride DR SOCRATES, the ante-post favourite.

The big weight should not deter the son of World Wonder, who represents the class horse of the field.

DR. SOCRATES rebounded to winning form on December 15 with Simpson aboard when producing a terrific last-furlong run to catch and beat CRUCIAL POINT by a neck in the William Read Memorial Cup over 1300 metres, covering the distance in the good time of 1:19.2.

On the wire

The 3-2 favourite NATURALLY ROYAL, ridden by champion jockey Omar Walker, holds on by a length from stable companion MARK TO MARKET (left) in winning the sixth race over the round five course at Caymanas Park on Ash Wednesday. NATURALLY ROYAL is part-owned and trained by Wayne DaCosta. - Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer

Stepping up to graded stakes for his next race on Boxing Day, DR SOCRATES was caught on the wire by subsequent Horse of the Year DISTINCTLY IRISH in the Harry Jackson Memorial Cup over 2400 metres.

Back in action in good nick and with the trip more suitable, DR. SOCRATES is tipped to resume winning ways, even though asked to give away weight all around. He can expect stiff opposition from the vastly improved ACCOMPONG under 'Hall of Fame' jockey Charles Hussey, JACK SPARROW, who bids for a hat-trick of wins and must be very dangerous in a race of this nature, not to mention the consistent MY TRAIN, PASSA PASSA, and not least, the improving SMOOTH DUDE, who steps up in class with a light impost seeking the hat-trick.

However, with the likes of BLUE MAGIC, FUSILIER, PASSA PASSA, JODI'S CALL and SMOOTH DUDE expected to ensure a strong early pace, it should set up the race nicely for the stretch-running DR. SOCRATES, who is perfectly drawn on the outside at post position 11.

Other firm fancies on the card are MISTER OFFICER, to release the maiden certificate in the second race for three-year-olds; the unbeaten COMMANDER ZERO, to romp the third also for native- bred three-year-olds; HEY TRAIN, to outstay rivals in the fifth; AITCHEMESBEAGLE to rebound over his pet trip (1820m) in the seventh; SIR MOHANDAS BABA, to catch ENCHANTING EYES in the eighth; and the very fit MISS ROSE over PRINCESS ZANAI and DR STEPHANIE in the 11th and final.