Thu | Jul 9, 2026

Si Puedo, I will

Published:Wednesday | September 15, 2010 | 12:00 AM
SPACE FURY (left), ridden by apprentice Georgina Sergeon, holds on by three-quarter length from the fast-finishing SLEDGE (out of pic) and the favourite, RUNNING LOOSE (rails), to win the Kenneth Mattis O.D. Trophy secondary feature over 2000 metres at Caymanas Park on Saturday. SPACE FURY, who made all at odds of 3-1, was saddled by ex-jockey Fitzroy Glispie. - Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer

Orville Clarke, Gleaner Writer

SI PUEDO, whose Spanish name translates into 'if I can' and was purchased for the record price of $2.7 million as a yearling in 2008, should recoup a portion of his price by winning the Knutsford Park Cup feature over 1200 metres for three-year-olds (non-winners of two) at Caymanas Park today.

The race offers a total purse of $715,000.

Trained by Anthony 'Baba' Nunes, the dark bay gelding by Image Maker out of De Barrel Come ran creditably over this trip on August 28, when finishing three lengths fourth to WAIT A WHILE. Back in action from the convenient mark of 52.5kg and the season's top apprentice, Aaron Chatrie, aboard, SI PUEDO will not go down easily.

It should be pointed out that the form of his last race has been working out beautifully in that both the runner-up, LADY GEETADEO (awarded race) and the horse that placed third, PRINCESS AMOYA, have won their subsequent races.

The winner, WAIT AWHILE, covered the distance in the good time of 1:13.1, hence it was a fast-run race. SI PUEDO's running time was 1:13.4 which, when assessed, seems good enough to win this race, bearing in mind that he is improving and still very fit.

SI PUEDO actually won on his debut over the straight five course on June 22 and, by and large, has not been beaten far in three subsequent races.

Still, he can expect stiff competition from the Philip Feanny-trained, BEYOND THE CLOUDS, who made all over 1100 metres on August 21 to release the maiden certificate in fine style; the late-kicking FLYING MARGARETT, who could get there in the nick of time; and the stable-companions SAEED and G-FORCE, both conditioned by Gary Subratie.

SAEED and G-FORCE are trained with this race in mind, and either could take home the trophy. SAEED, in particular, has never been this light (52.5kg) for some time and, having caught the eye at exercise, could prove the biggest danger to my selection, SI PUEDO.

I am expecting SI PUEDO to race in touch of the expected leaders, BEYOND THE CLOUDS, SAEED and J.R's DREAM, before coming through in the last furlong to win from SAEED and BEYOND THE CLOUDS.

Other form fancies on the nine-race programme, which commences at 1:20 p.m., are the American 2-y-o colt, MISMYRTLEBOYRICHIE in the third race; the recently disqualified winner, MOJITO JAM, in the fourth; GENERAL CURLIN to go one better in the second; and RAISE A RUCKUS to repeat in the seventh over 1820 metres.