Blast Them Away in Sprint

Orville Clarke, Gleaner Writer

The annual renewal of the Dye Job Sprint for native and imported two-year-olds over 1200 metres takes the spotlight at Caymanas Park today with 12 youngsters down to face the starter.

The field includes eight imported horses and indications are that the winner will come from their ranks.

Among the imported horses are two standouts: BLAST THEM AWAY, who is unbeaten in two starts, and NOON IT IS, who won by the resounding margin of 14 lengths on her second outing over 1200 metres on November 5.

With the native-bred youngsters looking outclassed and the useful American filly LADY FOREMAN seemingly inferior to stable companion NOON IT IS, it will definitely come down to a straight fight between the Wayne DaCosta-trained BLAST THEM AWAY, to be ridden by Dane Nelson, and Gary Subratie's NOON IT IS, with champion jockey Omar Walker again in the saddle.

By virtue of their exercise reports, BLAST THEM AWAY should make it three in a row. The American colt by Proud Accolade out of Evita Villa galloped 5 1/2 furlongs in an eye-popping 1:06.1 by 1:00.0 at exercise last Saturday morning.

BLAST THEM AWAY looked razor sharp in that workout and although the American filly NOON IT IS (who was being prepared for the Caribbean Nations meet in Trinidad today before defecting) has also looked fit and well in her preparation, DaCosta's colt looks hard to oppose on the strength of his two wins.

He won in the smart time of 1:19.4 over 1300 metres when last raced on October 26, making all behind splits of 23.1 and 46.0. Back in action even better for this race, BLAST THEM AWAY should lead home NOON IT IS.

possible second winner

Elsewhere on the nine-race programme, DaCosta should saddle a second winner in his progressive three-year-old colt JET SETTER in the knotty-looking Restricted Stakes over 1400 metres for native and imported horses.

The 14-strong field not only includes the likely favourite JET SETTER with Shane Ellis aboard, but the recent winners RIGHT MARKER, DISTANT SUNSET, and RED FLAG.

All four should ensure a competitive race, but on the strength of his good second to top sprinter SAINT CECELIA in the recent Caribbean Sprint Championship, JET SETTER will not go down easily now back among his peers and the trip now ideal. The impressive filly RIGHT MARKER looks his main danger.

I also like MY PREROGATIVE in the first race, GREAT LIKE THAT in the third race for the Andrew H.B. Aguilar Memorial Cup, and PRIVATE CARD in the seventh.