'Honey', 'Ronron' showdown

Orville Clarke, Gleaner Writer

Today's fourth running of the $1 million Seek Exercise Book Back-to-School Trophy open allowance race over 1300 metres, will feature a mouth-watering clash between crack American horses DOUBLE THE HONEY and RONRON.

This marks the most anticipated clash between two horses at Caymanas Park in years and with both burning up the track at exercise, it's truly a race worth going miles to see.

In addition to the lucrative purse, the race offers a new trophy, donated by Book Empire Limited, to be won outright. The beautifully crafted trophy was designed (from stainless glass) by Carolyn Schwap and Tony Baylis, father of Book Empire's managing director, Bruce Baylis.

At the recent launch held at the Knutsford Court Hotel, CTL's acting CEO and director of marketing, Chris Armond, said the race has taken on added significance with the presence of the unbeaten American 3-y-o colt DOUBLE THE HONEY, to be ridden by champion jockey Omar Walker for champion trainer Wayne DaCosta, and the American 3-y-o filly, RONRON, conditioned by top-10 trainer Gary Subratie, who has secured the services of Paul 'Country' Francis once again.

Armond was quick to add that although the speedy DOUBLE THE HONEY has beaten RONRON on the two occasions they met early in the season, RONRON has won four races in impressive fashion.

Subratie admitted that the rematch between both horses was inevitable.

"Although it could be said that Double The Honey has bragging rights, this time it will be different as Ronron has come on tremendously with some fast-time wins and could be numbered among the best horses in the country," explained the second-generation trainer.

"She had a slight setback (an infection) after her impressive victory over six furlongs in the Hall of Fame Stakes Trophy at this level in early June and we had to bypass some races to give her enough time to recover.

"She has gotten over that and, having worked exceptionally well coming into the race, is ready to rumble, and I have every confidence in her ability to get the job done," explained Subratie, who added that the trip is ideal for both horses.

Joint topweight

Unbeaten in five starts, DOUBLE THE HONEY has been allotted joint topweight of 57.0kg with consistent MINISTEROFJUSTICE, but this will not deter him.

DaCosta, who was off the island earlier this week, said on July 17 that DOUBLE THE HONEY was only 70 per cent fit when he beat THE REAL STREAM by only 1 1/4 lengths over 1200 metres that day. But judging from the way he has been carrying himself at exercise, none will report fitter.

Can he successfully allow the classy filly RONRON 3.0kg at this stage? I doubt it, but it should still be a heck of a race.

I also like SHE'S SMOKIN to repeat in the third race; NATURAL DESIRE in the fourth; FATTY BUM BUM in the Keeling Memorial Cup 2-y-o race; DIXIE CHICK in the sixth; and CLASSY PROSPECT in the seventh.