Raise A Ruckus in allowance feature

Orville Clarke, Gleaner Writer

DESPITE the presence of two trophy races on today's Caymanas Park 11-race programme, the three-year-old and up open allowance race over 1820 metres will be the focus of attention.

The race has attracted a small field of six including the 2,000 Guineas winner BIG MAN BOYU, who is out for the first time since his emphatic victory in the one-mile Classic on April 2.

The Gary Subratie-trained colt is pitted against a trio of seasoned open allowance horses led by Fontainbleu Trophy winner, PRICELESS BEAUTY, RAISE A RUCKUS, who finished a close second in that 1500-metre race, and the bold front-runner, LITTLE WASP, who beat all barring impressive MISMYRTLEBOYRICHIE over the distance, behind a fast time on last.

PRICELESS BEAUTY and BIG MAN BOYU have been harshly treated by the handicapper - with joint topweight of 57.0kg - and, for this reason, I think the race will come down to a straight fight between the American-bred horses RAISE A RUCKUS and LITTLE WASP, to be ridden by title-chasing jockey Dick Cardenas and 2.0kg-claiming apprentice, Georgina Sergeon, respectively.

Devastating performance

Both have strong claims - LITTLE WASP having turned in one of the most devastating performances of the season on February 5, winning over the course by all of 15 lengths in the smart time of 1:55.2, not to mention her good second to 'MISMYRTRLEBOY' over same distance, finishing two lengths behind in 1:55.0.

Judging by the strength of her last performance, this bold front runner will have to be caught.

But my preference is for the American four-year-old colt, RAISE A RUCKUS, who has twice won over the distance in fairly good times.

He looks leniently treated with only 53.0kg and thus catches my fancy, even though the Wayne DaCosta-trained LITTLE WASP will ensure he is fully extended in the last furlong.

Meanwhile, 11 starters have been declared for the annual renewal of the Master Blaster Trophy, a restricted allowance race (non-winners of three other than) over the straight for four-year-olds and up.

Strong hand

Trainer Anthony 'Baba' Nunes holds a strong hand with the highly thought of four-year-old filly, WILD TRADITION, and the very fit TREND SETTER, who is owned by former West Indies fast bowler, Courtney Walsh.

Both can expect stiff opposition from vastly improved hat-trick seeker LEGAL LADY, with Sergeon aboard, J.R's DREAM and WAIT AWHILE. The winner is almost sure to come from this group but WILD TRADITION, having impressed in her preparation with an eye-popping 58.3 from the gate some days ago, should give Cardenas another winner on the card.

I also like RHEA ON TOUR and SEARCHING FOR GOLD in the respective divisions of the Percy Martin Memorial Cup, KRYTOGRAM in the second and SHARRUKIN to stave off GENERAL CURLIN in the third.