'Mayer' poised for major success

Orville Clarke, Gleaner Writer

MAJOR MAYER is poised to win the Alty McKenzie Memorial Cup feature ($350,000-$300,000) over 1600 metres at Caymanas Park today despite the presence of recent winners AOKI LEI, GHOST RAPPER and OUT FOR JUSTICE in a nine-strong field.

Stepping down in class for this race, the 2007 Superstakes hero last won on September 7 on a $450,000 claiming tag, slamming subsequent winner SEEK GOLD by eight lengths over 1400 metres.

MAJOR MAYER had previously won on a $525,000 claiming tag on June 4, leading home subsequent dual winner LIKKLE BIT by six lengths at 1400 metres.

Although soundly beaten by ROLEX and REGAL SENSATION in high-claiming company on September 29 and October 5, respectively, the eight-year-old gelding has been reprogrammed for this race by trainer Cashbert Khwalsingh and should not be beaten from his convenient mark.

Competent 2-kg claiming apprentice Robert Halledeen has the ride, reducing the weight to 54 kg.

GHOST RAPPER has won two of his last three races, most recent when strolling home by seven lengths over this trip a week ago. AOKI LEI steps up in class in a bid for the hat-trick.

Biggest danger

While both have appealing form and should figure prominently, the biggest danger to MAJOR MAYER must be DOCTOR DEVIOUS who caught the eye on October 22 when finishing 3¹/⁴ lengths third (closing) to REGGAE PRINCESS over 1400 metres.

The fact that REGGAE PRINCESS came back to win convincingly on Saturday speaks volumes for the chances of DOCTOR DEVIOUS, who will relish the additional furlong and should outfinish the front-running OUT FOR JUSTICE (lone speed) as the exacta horse.

I am expecting MAJOR MAYER to race in close touch of OUT FOR JUSTICE and GHOST RAPPER, before starting his winning run approaching the home turn.

Elsewhere on the nine-race programme, NIPHAL, who won the 1000 Guineas back in April, should capture the competitive-looking open-allowance race over the straight-five course in which nine have been declared.

In addition to the Gary Subratie-trained NIPHAL, the field includes recent winner EMPEROR HALL and FLUFFY, who ran at this level recently. There are also others such as SARAGOSSA, BRASH & SASSY and TRIPLE ACCOUNT, all of whom enjoy galloping over the straight.

However, NIPHAL is undoubtedly the fastest of them all and back in acton with a mere 51.0kg with former champion Wesley Henry aboard, should not be caught.

I also like BREDDA PAPA to win the first race following that good effort (third) nehind MADURA GOLD on Saturday; NOLINGA in the fourth; OVATION in the fifth; and the improving TRULY EXPLOSIVE to stave off LASHING FORCE in the Royal Lancaster Trophy co-feature over the round five course, this for two-year-olds.