Tue | Jul 14, 2026

Odin, Burning Cielo set to win

Published:Wednesday | November 24, 2010 | 12:00 AM
FEMME DOREE, with Clive Lynch aboard, makes all to romp the Alex Imports Limited 'Dig Out Handicap', a 3-year-old only event over five furlongs, at Caymanas Park on Saturday. Owned by Richard Ashman and trained by Desmond Shand, FEMME DOREE won by the handsome margin of 6 1/2 lengths. - Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer

Orville Clarke, Gleaner Writer

Recent winner BURNING CIELO and ODIN are strong fancies to win the respective co-feature races at Caymanas Park today, the annual renewal of the Gladiator Trophy (open allowance) over 1400 metres and the three-year-old restricted allowance II over 1200 metres, for the Jamaica Racehorse Trainers' Association (JRTA) Trophy.

Coming on the heels of Saturday's United Racehorse Trainers' Association Trophy race (alternative association), which was won by the favourite, PRICELESS BEAUTY, the Trainers' Association Trophy race has attracted nine starters, including top contenders ODIN, SQUASHI (working very well), RUN CHARM RUN and TOPLESS ANGEL.

It should be a good race among that quartet, but preference is for the lightly-raced ODIN, who was a beaten favourite behind PAT N GOLD over 1500 metres on November 6, when finishing 8 1/2 lengths fourth.

Working well

The three-year-old colt from the stables of Norman Palmer has worked well since - galloping five furlongs in 1:01.4 - and has been administered Lasix for the first time. Also, with in-form jockey Dane Nelson now taking the ride, ODIN should lead home the recent winner, SQUASHI, with former champion jockey Winston Griffiths again in the saddle.

Significantly, L.P. Azar Limited, Art & Photo Impressions, Arima Engineering Limited and Southdale Super Store have joined with the JRTA to contribute to the race day. The winning trainer of each race on the card will receive $5,000, plus two bags of pellets.

The more valuable race, however, is the Gladiator Trophy, which has attracted seven starters, including top contenders PRINCE OF PEACE, BURNING CIELO, VONALMIGHTY and this year's 1000 Guineas winner, AL FOUZIA.

Strong hand

Superstakes winning trainer Richard Azan holds a strong hand with PRINCE OF PEACE and VONALMIGHTY, now back among his peers after being outclassed in the November 13 Superstakes over 2000 metres.

PRINCE OF PEACE ran on strongly to beat a tough field of overnight allowance horses at 1300 metres on November 13, and although up in class with topweight of 57.0kg, his chances must be rated highly.

While respecting the chances of the Azan-trained pair, the pick at the weights must surely be BURNING CIELO, who steps up in class with a mere 51.0kg, after scoring very easily over 1500 metres on November 6 with champion jockey Omar Walker aboard.

Prior to that, the four-year-old son of Burning Marque was a fast-finishing third, beaten 1 1/4 lengths by the progressive SEA DEVIL in a fast-run 1300-metre race. Having looked razor sharp in recent exercise spins, BURNING CIELO should stave off PRINCE OF PEACE. Walker again has the ride aboard the Fitzgerald Richards-trained bay gelding.

Other firm fancies on the card are THERE GOES JUSTIN in the opening race for maiden three-year-olds; AWESOME MARQUE in the second; WINCHESTER to romp the third; and MOJITO JAM to stave off recent winner LATIN KING in the closing race over 1500 metres, No. 41 in the Alex's Imports 'Dig Out' Handicap.