Meelo to collar Jaylenin competitive feature

Orville Clarke, Gleaner Writer

Today's nine-race programme at Caymanas Park is without a trophy, hence the overnight allowance race over 1300 metres takes the spotlight as the day's feature.

The eight-strong field includes a number of recent winners, among them the three-year-old filly REGAL SENSATION, JAYLEN, MEELO and REGGAE ROCK.

All of the runners, with the exception of SPACE FURY, have already won this season.

Jockey-turned-trainer Fitzroy Glispie saddles JAYLEN and the free-running SPACE FURY, both of whom should figure prominently in a race of this nature. But, as far as winning is concerned, Glispie's main hopes lies with the consistent JAYLEN, a decisive winner over the straight-five course in non-winners of four on July 10, covering the distance in a sub-minute time.

The form of that race has stood up in that the runner-up SAPPHIRE and the third horse TOP COMMANDER have subsequently won.

Two good races

JAYLEN, meanwhile, has run two good races in overnight company, firstly when staying on well for third to the unbeaten American colt DOUBLE THE HONEY over 1200 metres on July 17, and following up with a good second to PRINCE THEO over the straight on August 6.

Having worked well in preparation for this race, JAYLEN is not too high in the scale with 55.0kg and Oneil Mullings aboard to resume winning ways. The trip is ideal and he is very fit.

JAYLEN can expect stiff opposition from REGGAE ROCK, REGAL SENSATION, BEAUTIFUL SPACE and, of course, MEELO, with jockey of the moment Dick Cardenas riding for his guv'nor, in-form trainer Richard Azan.

However, MEELO gets the nod. The four-year-old son of Western Classic out of the 1990 Oaks winner, Millford Sound, ran a brave race at this level on August 7 when finishing a close fourth to disqualified winner RUNNING LOOSE over 1700 metres.

MEELO successfully challenged long-time leader BELOW THE WAIST entering the straight and was actually a slim leader passing the furlong pole. But the distance apparently found him wanting and he was relegated to fourth in the closing stages.

MEELO, who had previously won over 1500 metres in a good time (132.4) on May 29, beating REGGAE ROCK and BULLET LINE behind fast splits, will find today's trip just perfect. Having worked well last Friday morning, he will not go down easily from the convenient mark of 53.0kg.

MEELO can go the pace or come from behind if the situation demands, the ideal horse for a race of this nature.

I also like MING LEI to catch the recent winner RESTLESS MARQUE in the third race; down-in-class LIL' TIGER in the fourth; PRINCE ROHAN to catch the Derby third GLOBAL WARMING in the fifth; SKIPAWAY PRINCE over AWESOME REWARD in the sixth; and down-in-class GOLDEN HARVEST to end the winning streak of PAT ON CALL in the seventh where VENICE MELESSA looks his main danger.