Big guns set for cracking battle in Rum Fire Trophy

Orville Clarke, Gleaner Writer

Six top-class horses are slated to contest the inaugural running of the Rum Fire Invitational Trophy grade one race over 1500 metres at Caymanas Park today.

Sponsored by the Trelawny-based Everglades Farms Limited, which is owned by the Hussey racing family, the race offers a total purse of $2 million, with $1,092,000 going to the winner, second $364,000, third $182,000, fourth $91,000, fifth $54,600 and sixth $36,400.

The star-studded field includes the top-rated horse in the country, the American-bred 4-y-o filly RONRON, under champion jockey Omar Walker, now back with her old trainer Gary Subratie following a brief but unsuccessful stint with champion trainer Wayne DaCosta; the reigning 'Horse of the Year' MARK MY WORD, from the Richard Azan stables; as well as the brilliant unbeaten three-year-old gelding COMMANDING CHIEF, who is conditioned by Everal Francis; and the recent dual winner SIR VON from the stables of champion trainer Wayne DaCosta.

Fast-time win

Also present is the consistent Canadian-bred mare PRINCESS BEAUTY (trained by Morris Powell), who is coming off a recent fast-time win in the Seek Exercise Book Trophy, and the Subratie-trained DANCE SO SWEET under US-based Jamaican jockey Andrew Ramgget, who represents the speed horse in the lineup and will have to be caught.

Subratie holds a strong hand with DANCE SO SWEET and stable star RONRON, who has not only changed trainers since her last race on August 20, but owners as well.

The in-form trainer expect both horses to enter the reckoning.

"Either could win and it will be interesting to see what unfolds. I am particularly pleased with the preparation of DANCE SO SWEET who, though yet to win going this far, is actually bred for middle distances, and don't be surprised if she wins.

"RONRON, on the other hand, is back with me and I've had to work hard on her to bring her to the wicket. I could have done with a little more time to bring her 100 per cent, but she's a class act and this in itself could make the difference," said Subratie, who was quick to add that COMMANDING CHIEF and PRICELESS BEAUTY - both winners in open allowance company last time - have been treated leniently by the handicapper.

COMMANDING CHIEF, in particular, won't be far off the pace, and having won over the distance in the smart time of 1:31.2 under topweight of 57.0kg on September 7, should make it six in a row.

Unraced as a two-year-old, the Boom St Leger winner has tremendous scope and, having pleased in his preparation, ought to be followed with only 52.0kg and Paul 'Country' Francis again in the saddle.

I also like CANTARE to win the $1.2 million Rum Fire Dash for two-year-olds, THE RUNNING MAN in the fourth, RED FLAG in the seventh and REASONABLE PRESS (formerly) Clever Cherokee in the opening race over 1200 metres for overnight allowance horses.