Richie poised for emphatic win

Orville Clarke, Gleaner Writer

The talented American colt, MISMYRTLEBOY-RICHIE, kicks off his three-year-old campaign at Caymanas Park today, when he takes on nine opponents in the Ash Wednesday Trophy over-night feature over 1300, a race which looks his for the taking.

From the stables of Tony Kirlew, MISMYRTLEBOYRICHIE created a big impact as a two-year-old last season, having won his last five races to be voted the champion of that age group by unanimous acclaim. With that impressive record, he should start a firmfavourite to extend his winning streak today.

Champion jockey Omar Walker, now on a roll, will again ride the bay son of Mingun-Two Punch Christy, who has been turning in bullet work after bullet work in preparation for this trophy.

Kirlew has a very high opinion of his stable star, stating in an interview late last year that "he's potentially the best horse in the country and you'll really see the best of him at three".

He should use today's race as a stepping stone en route to the top class, where before long he should face the likes of RONRON and SAINT CECELIA and the unbeaten American, CASSANOVA BOY, who is back in training after being sidelined for eight months.

When last raced on December 12, MISMYRTLEBOY won the valuable Sweet Ruckus Trophy over 1400 metres by the resounding margin of 11 lengths from THERE GOES JUSTIN, covering the distance in the smart time of 1:24.4. Prior to that, he won back-to-back 1200-metre races in 1:12.0 and 1:12.2, respectively.

He looked razor-sharp at exercise last Thursday morning when breezing six furlongs in 1:13.2, and with his preparation complete, should return with a bang from the convenient mark of 54.0kg.

Worthwhile competition

Although MISMYRTLEBOYRICHIE looks the obvious choice, horses such as ANTIOCH, SKITTLE QUEEN, MACHISMO and not least, the talented American 4-y-o colt, RAISE A RUCKUS, should provide worthwhile competition.

Trained by 14-time champion Philip Feanny, RAISE A RUCKUS distinguished himself as a very good horse in the second half of 2010 and having worked well in his preparation, looks the principal danger to MISMYRTLEBOYRICHIE.

I am expecting MISMYRTLE-BOYRICHIE to race clear of ANTIOCH leaving the half-mile for another emphatic victory.

Other firm fancies on the nine-race programme are LUX to outfinish NAHIMA in the first race over 1820 metres; RIVIERE to repeat in the third; COBRA to land the fourth; LIGHTNING IMAGE (Lasix on) to catch the speedy OUT FOR JUSTICE in the seventh; and the course specialist MEDSTAR over SKIPPINFORTREASURE in the ninth over the straight.