Fluffy a firm fancy

Orville Clarke, Gleaner Writer

With the Terremoto Trophy for two-year-olds having to be abandoned due to insufficient entries, the 3-y-o and up overnight allowance race over 1200 metres moves into the spotlight as the feature on the nine-race programme.

Among the 11 starters is the consistent American four-year-old filly, FLUFFY, who is highly fancied to win, now dropped in class.

However, she can expect stiff opposition from the likes of OASIS, UNDAUNTED, recent winner J.R.'S DREAM, SIR JAADU BABA and ANTIOCH, who is regaining form.

But indications are that champion trainer Wayne DaCosta will saddle the winner of yet another allowance race in FLUFFY.

She last won over 1500 metres on April 23 at this level. In four subsequent races in open allowance company, she proved competitive against much better horses.

She finished second to PRICELESS BEAUTY behind a very fast time (1:31.2) in the Kings' Plate over 1500 metres on June 18 and, next time out, beat all barring stable-companion LITTLE WASP over 1600 metres. On July 23, she was third to stable-companion SIR VON and HOMBRE over 1400 metres with 55.0kg.

It is interesting to note that when last venturing over today's trip on April 9, FLUFFY was touched off in a tight photo-finish by none other than DANCE SO SWEET, with subsequent fast-time winner MACHISMO behind in third.

Past performances point to a FLUFFY victory. The fact that she has looked sharp in her preparation is another plus in her favour and, now fitted with the figure eight, should go wire-to-wire under leading jockey Shane Ellis.

SIR JAADU BABA, who is no slouch, should keep her honest up front. J.R's DREAM won well over the distance on July 6, followed up with a good third to MACHISMO over 1100 metres and will not be far away at the end.

Although the Dwight Chen-trained J.R.'S DREAM now has the services of bang-in-form champion jockey Omar Walker, the principal danger to FLUFFY is Norman Palmer's OASIS.

The five-year-old gelding finished a close fifth to speedy SARAGOSSA in the fast-run G.A. 'Sarge' Bucknor Memorial Cup over the straight on July 30 and has been stepped up at exercise since.

All in all, the class of FLUFFY should prevail.

Other firm fancies on the nine-race programme are the speedy ASPASIA to make all in the third race over the straight; GANGSTER at a good price in the tough-looking fourth race over 1800 metres; LITTLE CHUPS in the fifth; and AWESOME ANNETTE with Walker up in the seventh, for $180,000 claimers.