'Cash Pot' beckons El Patron

Orville Clarke, Gleaner Writer

The Supreme Ventures Triple Crown series for native-bred two-year-olds commences at Caymanas Park today, with the $2.95 million Cash Pot 'Only One For Me' Trophy over 1200 metres the big feature.

The $10.5 million series will continue on Saturday, November 26 with the $3.6 million Pick-3 Super Challenge Trophy over 1400 metres, culminating on Boxing Day with the $4.25 million Supreme Ventures Jamaica 2-Y-O Stakes over 1600 metres.

Supreme Ventures has contributed $6.5 million to purses, including a million-dollar bonus to the owner of the horse good enough to win all three races in the series.

Champion trainer Wayne DaCosta holds a strong hand in the Cash Pot with four of the nine starters - CANTARA under title-chasing jockey Shane Ellis, POOCH LIU with five-time champion Trevor Simpson aboard, ALL CORRECT to be ridden by all-time leading jockey Winston Griffiths and EXOTIC GOLD with resident Panamanian Ameth Robles in the saddle.

Based on their most-recent performances, the 10-time champion trainer will be pinning his hopes on either CANTARE or POOCHIE LIU (Lasix on), both of whom have trained well in preparation for the race. This pair, along with the unbeaten EL PATRON (Dick Cardenas) from the stables of Anthony 'Baba' Nunes, Gary Subratie's AWESOME CAMILLE (Omar Walker) and Dwight Chen's LADYLIKE (Dane Nelson), should ensure a highly competitive race.

CANTARE was caught close home by the fast-finishing EL PATRON in the September 24 Rum Fire Dash over 1100 metres, a race in which POOCHIE LIU, who vied for the lead with LADYLIKE, finished 2 1/2 lengths third, and LADYLIKE, three lengths fourth.

serious contender

All renew rivalry with AWESOME CAMILLE joining them as a serious contender based on her track record run over an 800-metre straight (45.0), when having her second outing on August 1.

Subratie has high hopes for the speedy filly by Vanadium out of the 2007 Guineas and Oaks winner Lady T.

"She is not the best drawn at post position one, but she's speedy and will get out of that quickly," said Subratie of AWESOME CAMILLE on Thursday.

"I think it will come down to two horses - EL PATRON and my horse.

"EL PATRON is an improving horse, moving from strength to strength. He has beaten everybody in the race, including my horse," he pointed out.

"However, my horse has also improved, she'll be better, so it won't be an easy race for him," he added, noting that AWESOME CAMILLE will be better for the rematch.

Title-chasing trainer 'Baba' Nunes was extremely pleased with the manner in which EL PATRON carried himself at exercise on Sunday morning, beating stable companion INVICTUS quite easily in a brisk workout over 5 1/2 furlongs, clocking 1:07.4 by 1:01.3 in the mud.

With much speed present in the likes of LADYLIKE, POOCHIE LIU and AWESOMEC CAMILLE, I am expecting them to play into the hands of the stretch-running EL PATRON, who won't be that far off the pace.

I also like champion sprinter SAINT CECELIA to romp the None Such Sprint, FREE FALL in the second, SEEK GOLD in the fourth, QUEEN ADIRA in the eighth and SIR D over INVICTUS in the closing race over 1400 metres.