Orville Clarke, Gleaner Writer
Feanny - File
MANY-TIME champion trainer Philip Feanny holds a strong hand in today's 1200-metre feature race for the Royal Crest Trophy, restricted allowance I (non-winners of three), at Caymanas Park.
In addition to the Royal Crest Trophy, the nine-race programme includes a fairly interesting secondary feature for the Monica Todd Memorial Cup (claiming $180,000) over 1600 metres to be contested by eight starters, including leading lights SOY MUJER, MOON DANCER, MAMBO and, of course, SIR MOHANDAS BABA, who won the 2008 Independence Stakes Trophy over the distance on August 6.
Feanny, meanwhile, saddles three live contenders in THE QUEEN, I'M MAGIC and the American bred three-year-old filly SOMAX, who makes her local debut well trained and could get off the mark immediately with leading all-time jockey Winston Griffiths taking the ride.
Stable-companions
Apart from the Feanny-trained trio, others expected to figure prominently are HOMBRE along with the stable-companions GOOD HOPE and FIRST LADY from the stables of champion trainer Wayne DaCosta.
While SOMAX is expected to prove highly competitive and could be anything, and others such as HOMBRE (working well) and GOOD HOPE, under champion jockey Omar Walker, are dangerous opponents, the one to beat must surely be THE QUEEN with lightweight apprentice Javour Simpson riding her from the convenient mark of 50kg.
The chestnut filly, by Royal Minister out of Regina Savage, caught the eye in running over this trip on August 23 when finishing 2 1/2 lengths second to WHEEL N DEAL in a fast-run race (1:12.1).
She actually chased the winner at close range into the straight and kept on well to finish second, four lengths clear of GOOD HOPE in third.
THE QUEEN has worked well in preparation for today's encounter, galloping three furlongs in 35.3 last Saturday morning and 1.01.1 for five furlongs on September 18. She also clocked 1:00.0 over the round course on September 11.
Winner
Her final time of 1:12.4 for six furlongs, on August 23, makes her a winner in my book, hence she should lead home SOMAX, HOMBRE and GOOD HOPE. That's the superfecta.
SIR MOHANDAS BABA, despite getting on in age, is tipped to repeat at the expense of SOY MUJER, MOON DANCER and MAMBO in the Monica Todd Memorial Cup. With Clive Lynch in the saddle on August 9, the 12-year-old gelding ran on strongly from below the distance to win the Independence Stakes Trophy in a driving finish from ALLEGRO, covering the distance in the fairly good time of 1:43.3. Clive Lynch again has the ride.
Lead
Other firm fancies on the card are SMILE OUT to lead home ABHIRAJ in the second race, BONNIE'S VICTORY in the third, ANDIAMO in the fifth and THAT'S MY MARKET in the ninth.
