Sir Von to dance away with Reggae Trophy

Orville Clarke, Gleaner Writer

The recent winner, SIR VON, should repeat his feat when he takes on five opponents in the competitive-looking Reggae Trophy grade-one feature over the straight-five course at Caymanas Park today.

From the stables of champion and leading trainer Wayne DaCosta, the American-bred 4-y-o colt is pitted against the reigning champion sprinter, SAINT CECELIA; the recent fast-time winner, DANCE SO SWEET, who is vastly improved; and BRASH & SASSY, who beat the subsequent winners SIR VON and DANCE SO SWEET over the course in a fast 56.4 on May 23.

All four should ensure a close contest as the two remaining starters - THE GUARDIAN and TRIPLE ACCOUNT - are safely held by the principals in a race of this nature.

SIR VON beat both DANCE SO SWEET and BRASH AND SASSY in the Hall of Fame Stakes Trophy over 1200 metres when last raced on June 4. Although worse off at the scales with both, the fact that Gary Subratie's American filly, DANCE SO SWEET, paid tribute to the form by winning her subsequent race (Caribbean Racing Confederation Trophy) over 1100 metres in fast time (1:04.4) on June 25 speaks volumes for his chances.

On that occasion, SIR VON overcame a sluggish start under the bustling Aaron Chatrie to win by a length from stable-companion NEW KINGSTON, with DANCE SO SWEET finishing 1¹/² lengths fourth and BRASH & SASSY 7³/⁴ lengths fifth in underfoot conditions.

Given the presence of the 'class horse', top-weight SAINT CECELIA, who is down to 56.5kg by virtue of Osive Donegal's 4.0kg apprentice claim, SIR VON seemingly has more to do here. But going for him is the fact that he is lightly weighted (50.5kg) and truly relishes the straight course.

In good form

With Chatrie riding in good form once again, the son of Even The Score should win from DANCE SO SWEET and Spencer Chung's speedball, SAINT CECELIA. But it should be close.

Elsewhere on the 11-race programme which commences at 12:15 p.m., the remarkable 10-year-old grey gelding, NASATOL, is poised to score his 34th career win in the third race over 1100 metres (claiming $450,000-$400,000), to equal MASTER BLASTER's all-time record for most wins in Jamaica.

With champion jockey Omar Walker aboard, NASATOL, who scored a decisive win over the distance when last raced on June 11, is still in good nick, and with his fitness not in doubt, the veteran campaigner should again have the better of old rival SHE'S MAGIC, who was two lengths away third on June 11.

I also like the front-running ERGASIA to win the fourth; SARAH BARRACUDA to repeat in the fifth; PEDRO BLUFF to rebound in the sixth; and DELICIOSA in the eighth.