Orville Clarke, Freelance Reporter

Crucial Point is pushed out by in-form jockey Clive Lynch to win the Wayne DaCosta Trophy overnight allowance feature over 1000 metres straight ahead of the favourite Skyway Express at Caymans Park on Wednesday. The winner, a 3-1 chance, is owned and trained by Anthony Ferguson. - Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer

The three-year-olds take the spotlight at Caymanas Park today in the Hot Line and Sir Howard Stakes for fillies and colts, respectively, over 1200 metres.

The 10-race programme also features the grade one Eros Trophy over 1400 metres to be contested by a competitive field of seven, including the speedy CLOCK WORK who makes his seasonal debut under top weight of 60.5kg. Being the genuine speed present, CLOCK WORK should take a lot of catching under with in-form jockey Dane Nelson. Trained by reigning champion Wayne DaCosta, the classy American six-year-old horse usually runs well when fresh and having been taken to task at exercise, can return with a bang despite the big weight.

Both the Hot Line and Sir Howard Stakes have attracted small fields but could serve as strong pointers to the season's first classics, 1000 and 2000 Guineas on April 5.

Indications are that the highly thought of filly LADY LIZ, who made a successful fast-time debut over the straight four weeks ago in Division II of the Eight Thirty Sprint, will repeat in the Hot Line Stakes, despite the presence of MEDUSA who won Division I, the well-prepared ALSAFRA and Percy Hussey's PASS LINE, who has since come back to win most impressively with Lasix administered after she was beaten by MEDUSA on her debut.

good turn

Trained by Gary Subratie, LADY LIZ showed a good turn of foot to win in a sub-minute time and having looked razor-sharp at exercise since, galloping 5-1/2 furlongs in a brisk 1:07.1 last Sunday morning, is tipped to repeat.

ROYAL IMAGE, who beat all barring the fleet-footed MR SKILL over the distance in the fast-run Dye Job Trophy on December 1, should return on a winning note in the Sir Howard Stakes for colts and geldings to be contested by six starters.

Trained by Anthony 'Baba' Nunes, ROYAL IMAGE, a well-conformed bay colt by Image Maker out of Royal Grind, has scored once from three starts, but the manner in which he has been carrying himself at exercise in preparation for this race, it will take a brave punter to oppose him.

Last Sunday, ROYAL IMAGE galloped 5-1/2 furlongs in an eye-popping 1:05.4, the first five in 59.4. With his preparation complete, ROYAL IMAGE should pack too many guns for his five opponents. His principal danger must be the Noel Ennevor-trained HOMBRE, who romped the Hi-Pro Stables Choice Feeds Trophy over 1300 metres on his debut last October and was second to champion 2-y-o THE REAL STREAM in his subsequent race over 1400 metres on November 24.

Other firm fancies on the card are SMOOTH DUDE to make amends for his good third to PASSA PASSA last Saturday by winning the first race ahead of MARK TO MARKET; PITTACUS to stave off JET SKIER and SIMPLYUNBELIEVABLE in the sixth and LAWS OF LUVVE to make all at the expense of SAMBA DANCER in the nightpan.