Trainers take spotlight at track - Don't oppose Meru in JRTA Trophy feature

Orville Clarke, Gleaner Writer

Today's nine-race programme at Caymanas Park will pay homage to trainers, four of whom will be honoured by the Jamaica Racehorse Trainers' Association (JRTA) inside the winners' enclosure during the course of the meet.

In keeping with the annual Trainers' Association raceday, the programme will feature the Jamaica Racehorse Trainers' Association Trophy over 1200 metres, to be contested by 12 starters.

The trainers being honoured for their contribution to the profession are Gary Subratie, Fitzroy Glispie, Randolph Scott and Victor Williams.

From all indications, the JRTA Trophy will provide the lightly raced but talented 3-y-o colt MERU with his second win from only three career starts.

Unraced as a two-year-old, the son of Traditional-Melody's Slasher was most impressive on his May 7 debut over 1100 metres, slamming DAY STAR by 7¹/² lengths in the fairly good time of 1:07.3.

It took MERU five months to return to active competition, but despite this he was sent off a 2-5 favourite to follow up over the straight-five course, only to be beaten by MY HEARTBEAT in a driving finish, in what was a fast-run race (58.3).

Having worked really well in preparation for this trophy, MERU is confidently expected to resume winning ways with title-chasing jockey Shane Ellis riding for trainer Norman Palmer.

MERU has good speed and looks a cut above the present opposition.

His principal danger must be the Wayne DaCosta-trained REMEMBER ME, who was a fast-finishing second to MOHEGAN SON over the round-five course on September 28; and wasn't disgraced when four lengths fifth to the subsequent disqualified ABRAM STAR over 1100 metres on October 17.

The three-year-old gelding, to be ridden by five-time champion Trevor Simpson, has worked well in preparation for the race and should ensure a safe exacta with MERU on top.

fast-finishing second

Elsewhere on the programme, NOON IT IS, who is scheduled to run in Trinidad & Tobago at the big Caribbean raceday at Santa Rosa on December 3, should have little difficulty in winning the fifth race for two-year-olds over 1200 metres.

The American filly caught the eye on her recent debut when a fast-finishing second to HUPOMONE over the round-five course behind a fast time, and now better for the experience, will prove hard to deny in a field of seven. NOON IT IS will be ridden by champion jockey Omar Walker for trainer Gary Subratie.

Other firm fancies on the card are GUAN YU to catch hat-trick seeker REGGAE PRINCESS in the third race over 1400 metres; Subratie's DON GEORGE in the sixth; NATURALFANTASY in the seventh; and OASIS over ROLEX in the overnight allowance sprint, the closing race on the card.