Pedro Bluff to roll over rivals in Drumbeat feature

Orville Clarke, Gleaner Writer

Bottom-of-the-barrel claimers ($180,000) hold centre stage at Caymanas Park today when a field of 14 face the starter in the annual renewal of the Drumbeat Trophy over the straight-five course.

Included in the line-up is recent course winner PEDRO BLUFF, who is confidently expected to repeat despite down to carry top weight of 57.0kg with champion jockey Omar Walker.

PEDRO BLUFF who won easily over the course ahead of MEDSTAR and subsequent course winner THE SMOKER on May 28, was promptly claimed out of that race, moving from trainer Dennis Lee to Tensang Chung.

From whichever stable he runs, PEDRO BLUFF is clearly much better than this level and, even from the head of the scales, will not be easily denied.

The four-year-old gelding, who has been claimed on the last five occasions he has raced, is actually seeking a hat-trick of wins today, having won easily over 1100 metres on May 7 when conditioned by Robert Darby Sr.

Good condition

By Traditional out of Don't Call Us, PEDRO BLUFF reports in good condition as usual and, having shown a particular liking for the course, should lead home SIR VALIANT and FIRST EDITION, both of whom will relish the straight.

Being a Hit-6 race, I would recommend another course specialist, MEDSTAR, in the mix, along with DANCING SAM and BUNKER DUST.

But it all comes back to PEDRO BLUFF, whose superior pace should see him safely home in this large field.

Other firm fancies on the card are consistent WHITE STAR from the stables of Paul 'Sleeper' Charlton in the opening race over 1800 metres; Everal Francis-trained COMMANDING CHIEF, who is prepping for the July 2 St Leger, to romp the second race over 1600 metres; SIR D to finally release the maiden certificate at the expense of stable-companion DISTANT SUNSET in the third; LIFEISJUSFORLIVING, now dropped in class, to spreadeagle rivals in the fifth for overnight allowance horses; SUNDOWN to stave off EARLY TRAIN in the sixth over 1820 metres for maiden three-year-olds; and LAID TO REST, who showed promise on his recent debut behind MISS MADE, to upstage likely favourite SHAMAN in the closing Alex's Imports 'Dig Out' Handicap over 1300 metres.

The closing race, which is confined to maiden four-year-olds and up, will be contested by the maximum 16 starters.