Machismo set to spank rivals

Orville Clarke, Gleaner Writer

The two-year-old maiden special weight event, for the Lester Saunders Memorial Trophy, over 1400 metres, is the midweek feature at Caymanas Park today. But a more interesting race is the open allowance contest over 1100 metres, to be contested by seven starters.

Incidentally, seven will also face the starter in the annual renewal of the Lester Saunders Memorial and, from the look of things, victory should go to Victor Williams-trained DYNAMIC MOVE, who caught the eye when closing well for third behind JUSTIN ON FIRE in Division II of the Hi-Pro Stables Choice Feeds Trophy over 1300 metres on October 18.

She showed an appreciation for the longer distance to be beaten 3 1/4 lengths third and, given the additional 100 metres, should win from the debutante ERASMO and front-running PRINCECHAD.

The open allowance race promises much keener competition with hat-trick seekers PRINCE THEO and ANTIOCH, along with down-in-class MACHISMO, and this year's 1000 Guineas winner, AL FOUZIA, present.

Interesting entry

Rowan Mathie-trained AL FOUZIA is an interesting entry. She is having her first outing since her unplaced effort in the LIME Derby on June 19.

Despite this, AL FOUZIA has been busy at exercise and will not find the distance too sharp. However, whether she can beat PRINCE THEO or MACHISMO going this short is left to be seen.

Dwight Chen-trained PRINCE THEO has strong credentials, following back-to-back fast-time wins over this trip and the straight course on July 14 and August 6, respectively.

PRINCE THEO, in fact, has won four of his last five races. The three-year-old gelding, by Image Maker out of Champion Melody, has been extensively prepared for today's encounter and, although stepping up in class, looks tempting at the weight with 51.0kg and will only go down fighting under Dick Cardenas.

While PRINCE THEO is stepping up, he will meet an opponent, MACHISMO that is stepping down, following a good run behind the classy American filly, HONEYOFALADY, in the grade one None Such Sprint Trophy over 1200 metres on October 16.

Trained by Anthony 'Baba' Nunes, MACHISMO finished 4 3/4 lengths fifth after turning for home a close third in that fast-run (1:11.2) race. with less to do in present company, MACHISMO is back with a grand chance of taking top honours from the convenient mark of 53.0kg.

Bang-in-form jockey Dane Nelson has the ride aboard the Footloose II-Lady Pakeezah offspring, who notched his last win over this trip on July 3 in the smart time of 1:05.4.

I also like SIR JAADU BABA to lead home OASIS in the third race; SEEK GOLD over COLEMAN'S ROCK in the sixth; and NUTTIN BUT ZKAIRA (Lasix on) to catch GRAND CABARET and MOLTEN KING in the closing Alex's Imports 'Dig Out' Handicap for maiden three-year-olds over 1600 metres.