Ronron to prove class

Orville Clarke, Gleaner Writer

Horse-of-the-moment RONRON bids for her sixth consecutive victory at Caymanas Park today, when she takes on five opponents in the $1.1 million grade-one feature for the L.R. 'Bob' Mayall Memorial Trophy over 1600 metres.

Owned by Kenval Wallace, the classy American three-year-old filly from the stables of Gary Subratie is pitted against some formidable opponents in THE GUV, HONEYOFALADY and FLUFFY. But in light of her impressive fast-time wins since commencing her streak on April 21 over 1400 metres, nothing should stop RONRON, even though tackling grade-one company for the first time.

After winning the Seek Exercise Book Trophy over 1300 metres in the smart time of 1:18.0 on August 28, Subratie declared that RONRON was potentially the best horse in the country.

To many, the best at present is the unbeaten American colt CASSANOVA BOY. But he has had his problems and was forced to miss some plum races, like the grade-one Prime Minister's Stakes and this race as well.

In his absence, RONRON has become the new kid on the block, going from strength to strength with each race. Although coming to the grade with her fair share of weight (57.5kg), this will not deter the bay filly by Lion Heart out of the Grindstone mare, Technical Analysis. Her bloodline is extremely rich, as Grindstone won the 1996 Kentucky Derby with Jerry Bailey aboard.

RONRON is indeed a class act, and reporting in tip-top shape should win from another American filly, HONEYOFALADY, and the vastly improved THE GUV. She can go straight into the lead and make all, or simply wait on HONEYOFALADY and FLUFFY to fold.

Also on the 10-race programme is the Dewhurst Stakes, secondary feature over 1300 metres, confined to native-bred two-year-olds.

Easy win

Only six have been declared, but TRADITIONAL PRINCE, who won easily on his second outing over 1100 metres on August 14, really looks hard to oppose in this small field.

The bay colt from the stables of Robert Pearson continues to look sharp at exercise, and with his opponents, save for the unbeaten ISNT SHE SOMETHIN, somewhat backward, should give Panamanian jockey Dick Cardenas another win.

Other firm fancies on the card are LONG PROCESS in the third race over 1820 metres; lightly weighted THE VALIDICTORIAN to stave off the late-kicking PRINCE ROHAN in the seventh race for three-year-olds over 1600 metres; CLASSY PROSPECT (working well) to outfinish WORKING IMAGE in the fifth over 1200 metres (overnight allowance); and NUTTIN BUT ZKAIRA (fit) to step up on that good run behind LESTERAE last Saturday, by winning the closing Alex's Imports 'Dig Out' Handicap over 1500 metres, this for maiden three-year-olds.