Naturally Royal for Emancipation Day Trophy

Orville Clarke, Gleaner Writer

Racing continues at Caymanas Park today with a nine-race holiday programme featuring the Emancipation Day Trophy (claiming $550,000-

$500,000) over 1,300 metres (6 ¹/_² furlongs) to be contested by eightstarters.

Among them is the likely favourite, NATURALLY ROYAL, who is coming off an emphatic victory over 1200 metres (six furlongs) when stepping down to this level (high claiming) on July 10.

NATURALLY ROYAL, who was then trained by Welsh Soutar but was claimed out of that race by Dennis Lee, strolled home 4 ¹/_⁴ lengths clear of FREE FALL, who renews rivalry on better terms but is still not expected to turn the tables.

Grace marie reopposing

Also reopposing is GRACE MARIE, who, though highly fancied (5-2) that day, plodded home a poor sixth. Unlike FREE FALL, the six-year-old mare from the stables of Ian Parsard should prove a different kettle, given a 4.5kg swing in the weights with NATURALLY ROYAL.

It should be recalled that GRACE MARIE suffered interference from three different horses in the race - NATURALLY ROYAL, BIG BARGAIN and THE BEST MAN.

That obviously contributed to her below-par effort and GRACE MARIE, along with the recent winner, TOBAGO and GAMBOA, both ideally suited to the distance, should ensure that NATURALLY ROYAL is extended.

Still, the six-year-old son of Royal Minister - Unnatural won with a lot in hand, giving the impression that he has the beating of this level (high claiming).

Prior to winning on July 10, NATURALLY ROYAL figured prominently in four consecutive races in overnight allowance company and now set to carry 53.0kg, by virtue of Jevvanne Erwin's 3.0kg apprentice claim, should stave off GRACE MARIE and TOBAGO.

Elsewhere on the programme, which commences at 1:30 p.m., LOVER GIRL should finally be rewarded for her consistency when she takes on six moderate opponents in the opening 4-y-o and up maiden special over 1400 metres.

Beaten by jeopardy

Trained by Fitzgerald Richards, the four-year-old filly has finished second in her last four races, the most recent when chasing home above-average debutante SLIGOVILLE over the straight five course. Prior to that, on July 14, she was beaten by Jeopardy over today's trip and with little to beat, should give five-time champion jockey Omar Walker another winner.

Other firm fancies on the card are the course specialist LITTLEREDCORVETTE in the third race over the straight five course, the speedy ESTO PERPETUA to stave off MING LEI and RHOSA KLEBB in the fifth race over 1100 metres, SLIGOVILLE to repeat in the seventh and the lightly weighted ADANNA over RUSSIAN COMMANDER and SUPER CENTRE in the closing straight five race for three-year-olds.