'Mismyrtleboy' forDye Job Sprint

Orville Clarke, Gleaner Writer

The season's top imported two-year-olds, MISMYRTLEBOYRICHIE and DANCE SO SWEET. should have an intense duel for top honours when they meet for the third time this season in today's Caymanas Park feature, the $865,000 Dye Job Sprint over 1200 metres.

This is one of two trophy races on the nine-race programme, the other being the $350,000 - $300,000 claiming race for the Grooms' Association Trophy over the straight five course. Both races have attracted 12 starters.

Indications are the Dye Job Sprint will come down to a straight fight between the Tony Kirlew-trained colt MISMYRTLEBOYRICHIE and the filly DANCE SO SWEET, both of whom made it close when they last met over this trip on November 6.

'MISMYRTLEBOY' got up in the nick of time to catch and beat Gary Subratie's DANCE SO SWEET by half a length in the fairly good time of 1:12.0 with customary rider Omar Walker, the champion jockey, aboard.

It was the second time MISMYRTLEBOYRICHIE was beating the filly, yet DANCE SO SWEET holds a victory over him on debut over 600 metres straight on June 26.

On the second occasion they met, however, MISMYRTLEBOYRICHIE came back a different animal, slamming his old rival by 5 3/4 lengths over 1100 metres in the smart time of 1:05.0 - the most impressive performance by a two-year-old this season.

The fact, however, is that DANCE SO SWEET cut 5 3/4 lengths to only half-a-length on their third meeting, and it could be even closer between them today.

Both have trained well in preparation for this trophy and with DANCE SO SWEET (Shane Ellis again up) now 1.5kg better off in the scales, she could turn the tables. But I am banking on the colt to beat the filly.

Despite having to carry topweight of 57.0kg, MISMYRTLEBOYRICHIE has looked so sharp in his preparation, galloping 5 1/2 furlongs in 1:07.1 last Thursday morning, the last five in 1:00.4, that he ought to be followed in his bid for the four-timer.

A competitive field has been declared for the Grooms' Association Trophy, from which the course specialist MARK TO MARKET, the down-in-class pair of FREE FALL and DOLLA WIN, along with RED SONJA and the very fit DANCING SAM should ensure a keen contest.

MARK TO MARKET, bidding for his fourth consecutive win over the course with top apprentice Doushane Gordon again in the saddle is given the edge over DOLLA WIN in this tough field.

I also like EARLY DREAMS to win the second race, MIRACLE RECOVERY in the third, BLAME THE TRAINER in the fourth, MAYBE I SAY SO in the fifth and the fleet-footed MR SKILL in the seventh.