Sweet Browning, Jet Setter for Trials

Orville Clark, Gleaner Writer

The final prep races for the April 2 Guineas classics take place at Caymanas Park today with the 20th running of the Prince Consort and Thornbird Trial Stakes for three-year-old colts and fillies, respectively, both over 1400 metres.

Eleven fillies have been declared for the $1.3 million Thornbird Stakes, including top contenders SWEET BROWNING, CARIDAD, SENSE OF TRADITION, PALACE GUARD and PALACE GOLD.

A notable absentee is the Gary Subratie-trained TREASURE GIRL, winner of the Eighty Thirty Sprint and Hot Lines Stakes in recent weeks.

Subratie feels that TREASURE GIRL has done enough and a decision was made to bypass this race and "go straight into the 1000 Guineas".

In her absence, SWEET BROWNING and CARIDAD surface as the top contenders and they should have the finish to themselves.

Impressive win

SWEET BROWNING, who is owned and trained by the same connections of the 2010 Triple Crown winner and 'Horse of the Year' MARK MY WORD - Elite Bloodstock Limited and trainer Richard Azan - is out for the first time this season. But she won so impressively over 1300 metres in fast time (1:20.4) when having her second outing on December 15 that, with normal improvement, will prove hard to beat with 55.0kg and big-race jockey Dick Cardenas aboard.

SWEET BROWNING should get first run on the improving CARIDAD, who wasn't disgraced on February 19 when staying on for third (beaten 43/4 lengths) to TREASURE GIRL in the Hot Line Stakes when administered Lasix for the first time.

In contrast, the Prince Consort Stakes promises keener competition among the 13 colts and geldings declared - led by the lightly raced but highly thought of JET SETTER from the stables of champion trainer Wayne DaCosta.

Having won the Sir Howard Stakes over 1200 metres in fine style on February 19, JET SETTER is almost sure to start a firm favourite with champion jockey Omar Walker again in the saddle.

MARK MY WORD returns

While the race promises keen competition, I am not prepared to oppose the well-bred JET SETTER, who looks nicely in with 53.kg. He will love the distance and, having worked well, gets the nod over TRADITIONAL PRINCE from the Robert Pearson stable.

Also on the programme is the annual renewal of the Eros Trophy grade one race over 1400 metres which marks the seasonal debut of the 2010 Triple Crown winner and 'Horse of the Year' MARK MY WORD.

Trained by Azan, the classy four-year-old colt is pitted against the talented American filly RONRON and THE GUV in a small field of five, and with the trip seemingly on the sharp side, he will more than likely fall victim to the Subratie-trained RONRON or THE GUV, for that matter. Topweight RONRON, with leading jockey Shane Ellis aboard, represents the speed horse of the field and is tipped to go all the way.

I also like ROMEZ to repeat in the second race, SIR D in the 3rd, DIVINITY in the 4th, QUIET KNIGHT in the 6th and INVICTUS in the 8th.