COLLEGE BOY is pushed out by Javour Simpson to win the seventh race over the round five course ahead of TRUE SENSATION and WAR LEGEND at Caymanas Park last Saturday. The five-year-old gelding was an even-money favourite. - Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer

The three-year-old fillies take the spotlight at Caymanas Park today when they contest the Eight Thirty Sprint for maidens over the straight-five course, to be run in two sections.

This marks the start of the 2009 three-year-old campaign, leading up to the season's first classics, the 1000 and 2000 Guineas, on Saturday, April 4.

Also on the well-supported 12-race programme is race number one in the first CTL Claiming Series over 1300 metres, to be contested by 11 starters.

As is customary, the current series will run for the first six months (one race each month) and this will be followed by the second series, which starts in July.

Horse of the Year

Meanwhile, the Eight Thirty Sprint, run in honour of the 1974 Horse of the Year, has been divided into two divisions, both attracting nine starters.

Leading lights in Division I are BELLA, C'EST MOI, JUNGLE QUEEN and HIGH SOCIETY, the quartet from which the winner will more than likely emerge.

The Percy Hussey-trained BELLA showed promise on her debut last Boxing Day when finishing second to PATARA over 1100 metres, the winner covering the distance in the fairly good time of 1:07.2.

BELLA showed good speed to lead into the straight before giving way to the Anthony Nunes-trained PATARA approaching the distance and was beaten 3-1/2 lengths in the end.

impressive at excersise

Since then, Ruth Hussey's chestnut filly by Western Classic-Watchmenow has impressed at exercise, galloping five furlongs from the gate in a brisk 59.4 last Monday morning, the first four in 46.4.

Now better for the experience and the blinkers fitted, BELLA, with stable jockey Dick Cardenas again in the saddle, is tipped to go one better.

Being a speedy sort, she should gallop onto the main track in front and have enough in reserve to hold the Nunes-trained C'EST MOI (also working well) and Wayne DaCosta's JUNGLE QUEEN at bay from below the distance.

DIVISION II

In Division II, victory should go to the DaCosta-trained BULLET LINE (working well), who was not disgraced behind stable companion, the imported SKITTLE QUEEN, last Saturday over 1200 metres.

BULLET LINE raced prominently throughout to finish 5-1/4 lengths third and, with less to do in present company, looks the one to beat with stable jockey Omar Walker (who was aboard SKITTLE QUEEN) now taking over the reins from Shane Ellis.

Prior to Saturday's decent effort, BULLET LINE failed by a length to beat DARLINGFORD over 1200 metres on Boxing Day with apprentice Harriston Lewis aboard. Despite the good claims of Allan 'Billy' Williams-trained GRACEFUL NATIVE, who reports in good nick after showing promise on her recent debut, and BEAUTIFUL SPACE, who was third to DARLINGFORD on Boxing Day, the choice has to be BULLET LINE.

firm fancies

Other firm fancies on the card are UNCLE D & ME to repeat at the expense of MAN OF HONOUR and DIGI N' JIGGY in the CTL Claiming Series, LIGHTNING McQUEEN in the second, SOY MUJER in the sixth, the fleet-footed MR. SKILL to repeat in the 11th and ROYALTY (working well) over HE'S REALLY OK and CLASSIC BEAU in the nightpan.