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Esquire, Brotherly Love set to win

Published:Saturday | June 26, 2010 | 12:00 AM
Ansel Dancel raises his whip as he celebrates winning aboard LADY NENITA, who goes by the winning post ahead of WAIT AWHILE (Kerry-Gayle Robinson) and the Wesley Henry-ridden GRAND CABARET (left), in the 3-y-o Only Fillies Maiden Condition event for The LIME MEGA PLUS Trophy, at Caymanas Park last Saturday. - Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer

Orville Clarke, Gleaner Writer

ESQUIRE and BROTHERLY LOVE are highly fancied to win the co-feature races on today's moderately supported 10-race programme at Caymanas Park, which commences at 12:20 p.m.

The Norman Palmer trained ESQUIRE is one of seven horses declared for the four-year-old and up restricted allowance III race over 1800 metres for the Valbert Marlowe Memorial Cup. And BROTHERLY LOVE, from the stables of champion trainer Wayne DaCosta, takes his chances in the sixth running of the Sports Journalists of Jamaica Trophy (claiming $350,000-$300,000) over 1200 metres.

Palmer and owners M.S. Stables hold a strong hand with two highly fancied runners in ESQUIRE and LORD ADMIRAL in the Valbert Marlowe Memorial. Both, along with the recent winner PATARA, should carry the bulk of the betting and the winner will more than likely emerge from this trio.

ESQUIRE seemingly has the best credentials based on his performances this season. The bay colt by Sligo Bay out of Dynamic Justice was installed a firm favourite for a 1500-metre race on May 29, but finished 2 3/4 lengths fourth (staying on) to MEELO after running very wide into the straight. Still, he was not disgraced, as the race was not only run in a fast-time (1:32.4), but the runner-up, REGGAE ROCK, paid tribute to the form next time out with a fast-time win over 1200 metres.

Prior to that race, ESQUIRE won very easily over 1820 metres ahead of HE'S A DREAMER and RUNNING LOOSE, a performance that puts him in good stead in a race of this nature, considering his time of 1:57.0. He will appreciate the easier pace and will more than likely be in front from the half-mile.

True, both LORD ADMIRAL and PATARA will be dangerous opponents in this small field, especially PATARA who caught the eye when scoring in decisive fashion over 1820 metres on May 22 in non-winners of three.

Walker should complete the cup double with BROTHERLY LOVE in the Sports Journalists of Jamaica Trophy, a race in which he is up against GOOD SENSE, JUST A CAT and GIRLOFMYDREAMS, his main rivals.

Champion trainer Wayne DaCosta has thrown in BROTHERLY LOVE for a tag following his fair sixth to the front-running ROJO over 1100 metres on June 12. He was beaten only 4 3/4 lengths in that fast-run race, but it is significant to note that when last venturing over this trip on February 17, BROTHERLY LOVE won easily, slamming subsequent winners STOCK MARKET and ANTIOCH in the fairly good time of 1:14.3.

With a lot in his favour today, BROTHERLY LOVE should lead home the down-in-class GOOD SENSE.

Other form fancies on the card are QUIET KNIGHT in the third race; JEOPARDY in the third; UNLEASH THE POWER to catch ERGASIA in the fifth; and SEA DEVIL (working well) ahead of MISS LEE in the eighth.