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Lifeisjusforliving to make triumphant return

Published:Wednesday | February 16, 2011 | 12:00 AM
GOLDEN HARVEST, with Paul 'Country' Francis aboard, streaks away for an easy win in the eighth race for $180,000 claimers over 1000 metres straight, at Caymanas Park on Saturday. The 4-y-o chestnut gelding, who is trained by Neive Graham and owned by Gresford Smith, beat the P. Bryan-ridden SMILE OUT (not in photo) by six lengths. - Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer

Orville Clarke, Gleaner Writer

Following a seven-month respite, LIFEISJUSFORLIVING should make a triumphant return to Caymanas Park today, when he takes on 14 rivals in the closing Alex's Imports 'Dig Out' Handicap overnight allowance race over the straight five course.

From the stables of champion trainer Wayne DaCosta, the classy four-year-old gelding last raced on July 10, 2010, when finishing second to Triple Crown and Superstakes winner, MARK MY WORD, in the RJR St. Leger over 2000 metres.

Significantly, LIFEISJUSFORLIVING was finishing second to MARK MY WORD not only in the St. Leger, but the LIME Jamaica Derby and 2000 Guineas earlier in the season, prompting the pundits to say he was born the wrong year.

Still, it should be pointed out that LIFEISJUSFORLIVING was a champion in his own right, having won five races from eight starts last season to amass impressive stakes of $6.8 million.

It should also be recalled that he holds a victory over MARK MY WORD early last year, beating the subsequent 'Horse of the Year' into fourth place in a fast-run 1200-metre race on February 20.

Despite his lengthy absence, LIFEISJUSFORLIVING has been extensively prepared to meet this engagement and none will report fitter. DaCosta has really taken the Region of Merit-Bold Queen offspring to task at exercise, with several bullet works in recent weeks.

'LIFE' galloped from the gates last Wednesday morning in a brisk 59.0, the first four furlongs in a fast 45.4.

With his preparation on cue, he should not be beaten from the convenient mark of 53.0kg and champion jockey Omar Walker again in the saddle.

The Hit-6

Stable companions NEW KINGS-TON and THE GUARDIAN, along with the fleet-footed SUPER DAVE, WORKING IMAGE and the lightly raced but improving three-year-colt, CONEYISLANDINVADER, fresh from that huge upset in the $4.25 million Supreme Ventures Jamaica 2-y-o Stakes last Boxing Day, should give a good account of themselves in a race of this nature and could complete the Hit-6.

The Patrick Lynch-trained SUPER DAVE can definitely match the speed of LIFEISJUSFORLIVING and having shown a particular liking for the straight, looks the principal danger. But 'LIFE' is working too well to lose at these weights.

Other firm fancies on the card are the improving SHARRUKIN to complete the hat-trick at the expense of WISE FIT and IVAN THE TERRIBLE in the Morty Heron Memorial Cup (claiming $250,000-$230,000) over 1820 metres; EMPEROR HALL to repeat in the third race for imported three-year-olds; SPLITTING IMAGE in the fourth over the straight; SPORTS STAR to stave off PRINCE OF ARABIA in the fifth; and MADURA GOLD over Hombre's half brother, the debutante HERMOSO AMIGO, in the seventh race for maiden three-year-olds over 1200 metres.