It will be all about Fatty Bum Bum

Orville Clarke, Gleaner Writer

The island's top native-bred two-year-olds go for big bucks at Caymanas Park today in the sixth running of the $3.6-million Pick-3 Super Challenge Trophy over 1400 metres, the second leg of the $11.8 million Supreme Ventures 2-y-o Series comprising three races.

Among the 11 starters is the free-running FATTY BUM BUM , who romped home by 5³/⁴ lengths in race No. 1 in the series, the $2.95 million Cash Pot Only One For Me Trophy over 1200 metres on October 16 in fast time.

Champion jockey Omar Walker again rides FATTY BUM BUM for champion trainer Wayne DaCosta, and although this represents a somewhat tougher assignment, the bay filly by Storm Craft out of Bird Stow has looked so sharp at exercise that she can definitely win again and be in line for the million-dollar bonus being offered by Supreme Ventures Limited to the owner of the horse good enough to win all three races in the series.

FATTY BUM BUM had the likes of ISNT SHE SOMETHIN (third), WINNIANA (fifth), BLENDER (sixth), the then favourite TRADITIONAL PRINCE (seventh), DONT-SAYAWORD (eighth) and BLACKMAN STORY (12th) behind that day. All renewal rivalry over the additional 200 metres of this race and TRADITIONAL PRINCE, in particular, could prove a different proposition.

Stumbled at the start

Hunting a hat-trick of wins in the Cash Pot Only One For Me Trophy, the bay colt from the stables of Robert Pearson was installed an even-money favourite but stumbled at the start, lost valuable ground and although mending sharply into third approaching the home turn, the effort took its toll in the straight and he finished 11 lengths seventh.

TRADITIONAL PRINCE has been taken to task at exercise by his young trainer and, with the cheek pieces now fitted, could rebound with a vengeance from his favourable outside draw.

In fact, I think the winner will come from a group comprising TRADITIONAL PRINCE, FATTY BUM BUM, Anthony Nunes-trained ELECTRIFYING and Gary Subratie's UNCLE KEN, who was a fast-finishing third to JUSTIN ON FIRE in the November 13 CTL Juvenile Sprint over 1300 metres, finishing a mere length away.

Still, I believe sustained pace will be the determining factor in this race and it should be either FATTY BUM BUM to repeat or old rival TRADITIONAL PRINCE, who now has the services of leading all-time jockey Winston Griffiths.

FATTY BUM BUM was just too impressive when landing the Cash Pot Only One For Me Trophy in the smart time of 1:12.3, and with the additional furlong no problem, she ought to be followed. I am expecting her to assume the lead from BLENDER approaching the half mile and saving ground on the rails into the straight, win ahead of TRADITIONAL PRINCE and the fast-finishing UNCLE KEN.

Other firm fancies on the card are MISS CRYSTAL to go all the way in the first race, MIRACLE RECOVERY in the third, HAIL THE GENIUS in the fifth, LIVE WATER in the sixth, TOP COMMANDER in the seventh and MOLTEN LAVA in the eighth.