Orville Clarke, Gleaner Writer
RUM TALK (outside) is a strong fancy in today's feature, the Prime Minister's Stakes. - File
IT'S HOLIDAY racing at Caymanas Park today, the Independence Day 10-race programme, featuring the $1.1 million Prime Minister's Stakes (grade one) over 2000 metres to be contested by seven starters.
It promises to be an intriguing contest among top contenders MAJOR MAYER, winner of the 2007 Superstakes over the distance; recent winner RUM TALK and the 2006 Lotto Classic (Governor's Cup) and St. Leger winner ALLIEDFORCE, who returns from a near four-month absence in a bid for his fourth consecutive win.
ALLIEDFORCE, who is unbeaten this season, last won the Legal Light Trophy over 1820 metres by 3 3/4 lengths from then favourite MAJOR MAYER, who subsequently won the L.R. 'Bob' Mayall Memorial Trophy over 1600 metres on July 5 under top weight of 60.5kg, ahead of subsequent winner CHADMAN.
Return with a bang
RUM TALK, on the other hand, represented Jamaica in the Caribbean Classic in Puerto Rico last December.
Following a seven-month absence from active competition, he returned with a bang on July 12 when leading home the lightly-weighted GOOD CITIZEN in an open allowance mile, covering the distance in the good time of 1:38.3.
Little to fear
RUM TALK, who hails from the stables of 14-time champion trainer Philip Feanny, looked a different horse as he surprisingly chased the fleet-footed GOOD CITIZEN at close range in fast splits (47.0, 1:11.4) before taking over leaving the half mile for a facile victory.
Although up in class today, RUM TALK has little to fear from either MAJOR MAYER, under customary pilot, Richie Mitchell or ALLIEDFORCE, with champion jockey Omar Walker again in the saddle.
The four-year-old colt by Royal Minister out of Good As Gold, is no stranger to winning big races, having captured the 2000 Guineas and St Leger as a three-year-old last year, not to mention the Governor General's Stakes over the distance in October of last year, when staving off ALLIED-FORCE by a head.
Closely handicapped
The three principals are all closely handicapped in the weights (a mere kilo apart) and to many there is little to choose among them.
However, the fact that RUM TALK will be better for the run and has really impressed at exercise since, galloping seven furlongs in a brisk 1:26.3, 1:13.4 for six furlongs, makes him the one to beat.
He showed good early pace on last and, if the occasion demands, he can come from behind with telling effect.
Despite having to carry 59.5kg, RUM TALK will not go down easily in a race of this nature. Florida-based Jamaican jockey Allen Maragh again has the ride.
I also like GALLANT GIRL to go one better in the second race for maiden four-year-olds and up, GOOD COMPANY to do likewise in the third, SAMBA DANCER to catch THUNDER-CLAP and ALLEGRO in the Independence Day Stakes Trophy (fourth race), HAIL THE GENIUS over ISLA and SHE'S OUTRAGEOUS in the eighth and MINISTEROFJUSTICE in the closing race for the TOBA Trophy.
