Validictorian a cinch in feature

Orville Clarke, Gleaner Writer

Having finished a good second to J.R'S DREAM over a trip of her best on July 6, THE VALIDICTORIAN is tipped to go one better in today's Caymanas Park feature for the Aston Commock Memorial Trophy over 1700 metres.

The restricted allowance III (non-winners of three other than) event has attracted eight starters, including the recent winners DIVINITY, ELOPING EMMA and ASANTEWA.

Also present are the consistent WAIT AWHILE, the free-running LESTERAE and the late-kicking CRUISER, who is knocking at the door.

But they should all play into the hands of THE VALIDICTORIAN, who looks too light to lose with 52.0kg under title-chasing jockey Dick Cardenas, fresh from a three-day suspension.

She ran above herself when a fast-finishing second to odds-on favourite J.R'S DREAM over 1200 metres recently, beating WAIT AWHILE by a head for the runner-up slot at odds of 30-1.

With the trip now ideal, the four-year-old filly by Western Classic out Princess Alexandra looks hard to oppose.

LESTERAE, DAYTON'S LAW and WAIT AWHILE will ensure a strong early pace, which should suit THE VALIDICTORIAN fine.

I am expecting her to turn for home within striking distance of the leaders, dispose of them a furlong out and win from the grey WAIT AWHILE and CRUISER, who should be closing rapidly at the death.

Elsewhere on the 10-race programme, title-chasing trainer Anthony 'Baba' Nunes holds the key to the three-year-old and up overnight allowance race over 1500 metres with three live contenders in BELOW THE WAIST, REGAL SENSATION and SILENT IMAGE, all suited to the distance.

Only six have been declared for the race and indications are that the Nunes' trio will receive stiff opposition from the Wayne DaCosta-trained EXCELLENCE (consistent) and Richard Azan's PRINCE OF PEACE, who gets the ideal trip on this occasion.

The one to beat

Stable-jockey Cardenas has elected to ride the five-year-old mare BELOW THE WAIST, and based on her last run, when she led by a wide margin before being caught (third) in the straight by GLOBAL WARMING over 1820 metres on July 2, looks the one to beat over this reduced trip from the convenient mark of 53.0kg.

EXCELLENCE, who was ahead of her in that race (second), looks the obvious danger with only 50.0kg.

Other firm fancies on the card are MOJITA JAM to go one better in the first race; DaCosta's KACEY POPS' KID to finally release the maiden certificate in the second; the stretch-running ANNA to catch MISS MADGE and LA VIDA LOCA in the fifth over 1500 metres; NATURALLY ROYAL over the well-prepared REGGAE PRINCESS in the eighth over the straight, and DANCING GOLD over the lightly raced WIND CRAFT in the closing Alex's Imports 'Dig Out' Handicap over the straight.