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Nyabinghi for Trainers' Trophy

Published:Saturday | November 19, 2011 | 12:00 AM
EMPEROR HALL, with Dick Cardenas aboard, runs unchallenged as he canters to a 103/4-length win over the 2-1 favourite MIKENIFICENT (out of photo), during the CTL 'Imported Mile' 3-y-o and up stakes over eight furlongs at Caymanas Park last Saturday. - Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer

Orville Clarke, Gleaner Writer


The American three-year-old filly NYABINGHI should atone for her near miss against subsequent Superstakes third-place finisher COLD GROUND in the recent Royal Dad Trophy by winning the United Racehorse Trainers' Association (URTA) Trophy over a similar distance of 1820 metres at Caymanas Park today.

A restricted stakes for native and imported three-year-olds and up (non-winners of three), the race has attracted eight starters, including BREDDA PAPA, JOVOUN THE MASTER, SAINT EVA and MADURA GOLD - all recent winners.

Incidentally, this is the second Trainers' Association trophy race to be run this month. On Saturday, November 5, the alternative Jamaica Racehorse Trainers' Association (JRTA) held their meet at which four trainers were honoured.

The URTA was formed three years ago after a breakaway from the Vin Edwards-led JRTA, and Richie Todd elected its first president.

Despite the presence of the recent winners and other fit horses such as DONTSAYAWORD and the Gary Subratie's imported filly LADY MACBETH, NYABINGHI, who won easily over the distance on October 2 when leading home COLD GROUND by 11/2 lengths, will prove hard to beat, especially with McMaster going for leading all-time jockey Winston 'Fanna' Griffiths.

Five-time champ

The five-time champion jockey has ridden a winner on each of the past four racedays (OVATION, DISTANT SUNSET, QUEEN ADIRA, D'NUGGET) and should extend his streak with NYABINGHI.

He beat COLD GROUND over the distance in the fairly good time of 1:56.3 on October 1, and she in turn was beaten by COLD GROUND in a time of 1:57.4 under a below par ride.

NYABINGHI reports in good nick, has nothing to complain about at the weights (55.0kg) and I expect her to run through from early in the straight and win ahead of LADY MACBETH under champion jockey Omar Walker.

LADY MACBETH, who has scored once from only four starts, seems to be begging for a distance of ground and could ensure that fellow American NYABINGHI is extended in the closing stages. NYABINGHI is trained by Peter McMaster for his wife, Elaine (Miss Suckie).

Other firm fancies on the card - on which most of the races are named after prominent trainers who are members of the URTA - are: LADY APPEAL to stave off MASTER DAVID in the fourth race for maidens over 1100 metres; the speedy REDS THOMAS to stave off AQUILLO and CANDANCE again, in the fifth over 1100 metres; the well-forward 2-y-o debutant REAL VIBES MACHINE in the sixth; TOBAGO in the seventh; and KATHERINETHEGREAT in the eighth.