She's Magic set for quick hat-trick

Orville Clarke, Gleaner Writer

Bang-in-form SHE'S MAGIC should complete the hat-trick at Caymanas Park today when she faces six rivals in the Oswald 'Ossie' Steele Memorial Cup (claiming $450,000-$400,000) feature event on the nine-race programme over 1200 metres.

Owned and trained by Dennis Lee, SHE'S MAGIC followed up her easy victory over 1100 metres on August 6 with a fast-time win (1:06.4) over the same distance on Saturday, beating COLEMAN'S ROCK and GRACE MARIE convincingly, after making most of the running on a $550,000 tag.

Oddly enough, the four-year-old grey filly by He'stherealthing out of Magic Butterfly steps down in class to run on a $425,000 claiming tag and returning on the convenient mark of 53.0kg and, 'jockey of moment' Dick Cardenas again in the saddle, she ought to be followed.

Obvious choice

Although SHE'S MAGIC represents the form horse of the field and appears to be the obvious choice, she can expect stiff opposition from proven campaigners THE BEST MAN and FREE FALL, both dropped in class to vie for this trophy, as well as the recent winner FLAGAMAN, now up in class.

In-form claiming apprentice Aaron Chatrie has the leg over THE BEST MAN, who not only loves the distance, but looks tempting at the weights with only 52.0kg.

The six-year-old gelding from the stables of Kingsley Davis has beaten better in the not-too-distant past and although managing only seventh to NATURALLY ROYAL over this trip on a $550,000 tag last time out on July 10, has the capacity to rebound in a race of this nature.

A bigger danger to SHE'S MAGIC must be FREE FALL, who finished second to NATURALLY ROYAL in the abovementioned race when ridden by the sparingly used Omelio Francis.

My selection

Connections of FREE FALL have secured the services of champion jockey Omar Walker and having looked well in preparation for this race, the seven-year-old gelding should give my selection, SHE'S MAGIC, most to do.

SHE'S MAGIC should bring her proven fitness into play and complete the hat-trick. She has the speed to to lead old rival SIR ARCHIBALD once again and the legs to stave off FREE FALL and THE BEST MAN in the drive.

Other firm fancies on the nine-race programme are recent winner THREE QUEENS to repeat at the expense of BACK AT YOU and NATURAL HEART in the CTL Claiming Series over 1500 metres; stretch-running VONALMIGHTY to win the knotty overnight allowance race over 1500 metres at the expense of BELOW THE WAIST and QUICK & GRAY; LOVER GIRL to end her string of second-place finishes by landing the second race; OCHUN (Lasix administered) to catch GRAND CABARET in the fourth; and BULLET LINE to outfinish old rival BORA BORA in the sixth over 1600 metres.