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A Russian for the Grooms

Published:Saturday | July 16, 2011 | 12:00 AM
PRIVATE CARD (Omar Walker) is led to the winners' enclosure by groom Kennedy Walcott after his fighting victory in the ninth race for native-bred three-year-old maidens over 1800 metres at Caymanas Park last Saturday. - Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer

Orville Clarke, Gleaner Writer

Caymanas Track Limited will pay tribute to grooms at Caymanas Park today with its annual raceday for this dedicated set of workers, the 10-race programme featuring the Grooms' Association of Jamaica Trophy (claiming $350,000-$300,000) over the straight-five course.

Ten starters have been declared and indications are it will come down to the quartet of RUSSIAN COMMANDER, MARK TO MARKET, MR SKILL and MEELO, all ideally suited to the straight five course.

The fleet-footed MR SKILL is undoubtedly the most accomplished in the field, having won 10 races from 35 career starts while he was conditioned by many-time champion trainer Wayne DaCosta prior to this year.

The six-year-old gelding now takes orders from Lawrence Freemantle, and although out for the first time since his unplaced effort over 1200 metres on January 1, is down two classes for today's contest and will have to be caught.

MEELO has won two of his last three races, and with champion jockey Omar Walker sticking with the ride, should make it close, while MARK TO MARKET is so effective over the straight that he should make his presence felt throughout.

Horse to beat

However, I believe the horse to beat must be RUSSIAN COMMANDER, despite not having won a race in six attempts this season.

The four-year-old colt from the stables of Carl Anderson steps down in class (moving from $500,000 claiming to $350,000) to vie for this trophy, and having shown a particular liking for the straight, should get it right this time with top-line jockey Dane Nelson now taking the ride.

It should be recalled that RUSSIAN COMMANDER notched his last win over the course on December 11 last year, beating the imported filly REVIERE in a driving finish.

He looked fluent while going through his paces at exercise on Wednesday morning and seems fit enough to lead home MR SKILL and MEELO.

Elsewhere on the card, leading trainer DaCosta should win the open allowance sprint (third race) with LIFEISJUSFORLIVING under leading jockey Shane Ellis.

The 4-y-o chestnut gelding, who won the Lotto Classic last year, is coming off a recent win over this trip on June 22 when slamming WILD TRADITION by 41/2 lengths in overnight allowance company.

LIFEISJUSFORLIVING covered the distance in the smart time of 59.2 that day, and although stepping up in class, should repeat in a small field of six, which includes stable-companion CASSANOVA BOY (who needs it longer) and the April 2 1000 Guineas winner NIPHAL.

I also like PALACE GOLD to rebound in the opening race, CITY HALL in the 2nd, AUSTIN LUKE in the 4th and MARHABBA in the 8th.