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The Gummer to take Emancipation Day Trophy

Published:Monday | August 1, 2011 | 12:00 AM
BLENDER, running at odds of 5-2 with apprentice Conrad Ellis aboard, wins the ninth race over the round-five course in post-to-post fashion at Caymanas Park on Saturday. BLENDER is owned and trained by Gordon Lewis. - Colin hamilton/freelance photographer

Orville Clarke, Gleaner Writer

Two trophies are at stake on today's holiday programme at Caymanas Park, including the $600,000 - $550,000 claiming race over 1300 metres for the Emancipation Day Trophy.

Also on the 11-race programme is the annual renewal of the Thoroughbred Owners & Breeders Association of Jamaica Trophy (three-year-old non-winners of three) over 1400 metres. This has attracted 15 starters, including the likely favourite LUSCIOUS from the stables of champion and leading trainer Wayne DaCosta.

The three-year-old filly, who was third in the Oaks and fourth in the Lotto Classic, has trained well for this race and with only 52.5kg and Ellis aboard, gets the nod over SIR SOUTH and MEA CULPA.

Meanwhile, seven are slated to contest the Emancipation Day Trophy, including the recent winner SOCA PARTY who has changed stables (claimed) since her narrow win over 1100 metres on July 23. She now has the services of champion jockey Omar Walker, fresh from a three-day suspension.

Also present is one-time Superstakes winner MAJOR MAYER, who was a fast-finishing third to SOCA PARTY, as well as knocking-at-the-door CLASSIC BEAU and THE GUMMER from the DaCosta stables.

Main hopefuls

These are undoubtedly the main hopefuls, but a close examination of the formlines would indicate that THE GUMMER has much in his favour today, and should score his second win of the season.

The five-year-old gelding, who as a three-year-old in 2009 failed, by a nose, to beat BRUCEONTHELOOSE in the 2000 Guineas, has had his problems since those heady days and was sidelined for months in 2009 and 2010.

As a result, he has declined a bit in ability, but what is instructive is that he has been campaigning regularly since the start of this year and today marks his 11th outing of the season.

He ran on strongly to beat a good field over 1100 metres on March 2 with topweight of 57.0kg (Omar Walker up) and although failing to follow up in six subsequent races, showed on the last two occasions that he is primed for another win.

THE GUMMER caught the eye when finishing 33/4 lengths sixth (closing rapidly after missing the break) over this trip to HERROYALHIGHNESS in overnight allowance company on June 11. And last time out on July 6, he stayed on to finish 41/4 lengths fourth to SIR JAADU BABA over the round five course, a distance short of his best.

Indications are that THE GUMMER has been laid out for this race (galloped three furlongs in 36.3 on Wednesday morning) and although the free-running SOCA PARTY and MAJOR MAYER, under the bustling Dane Nelson, are extremely dangerous, THE GUMMER, even as a five-year-old, could still have a bit more class than both.

Other firm fancies are TREND SETTER in the second, SPEED ANGEL in the fourth, GWENNIE-THEBUTCHER in the fifth, AWESOME CAMILLE in the seventh for two-year-olds and hat-trick seeker LIFEISJUSFORLIVING in the 10th.