Seek Double the Honey

The classy American 4-y-o colt, DOUBLE THE HONEY, is tipped to go one better in today's open-allowance feature, the fifth running of the Seek Exercise Book Trophy race over 1300 metres, to be contested by 11 starters.

Offering a total purse of $1 million, the 3-y-o and up open-allowance contest, sponsored by Book Empire Limited, has attracted 11 starters and promises to be hotly contested.

In addition to the major share of the purse, the winning owner will receive a magnificent trophy, to be won outright along with a framed digi/pic of the winning horse done by Nicholas Chai.

From the stables of champion trainer Wayne DaCosta, DOUBLE THE HONEY was highly fancied to win this race a year ago, but found the impressive RONRON too good and had to settle for second.

DaCosta holds a strong hand with DOUBLE THE HONEY and fellow American, CASSANOVA BOY, to be ridden by stable jockeys Dane Nelson and Shane Ellis, respectively.

Up to a year or so ago, the grey gelding CASSANOVA BOY was the top-rated horse in training, having won his first nine races up to grade one company.

However, he suffered a major setback in training and was sidelined from July 10 last year to May this year.

He has proved competitive in two races since his return and, although clearly not the horse of yesteryear, showed enough (third) to stable companion LIFEISJUSFORLIVING in a fast-run 1100-metre race on August 1, to be afforded a chance from his favourable outside draw.

DOUBLE THE HONEY, however, remains the one to beat in what is expected to be a truly run race.

He could encounter stiff opposition from CASSANOVA BOY, Canadian-bred PRICELESS BEAUTY and the speedy three-year-old filly, NIPHAL, who will more than likely set off in front.

Although running for the first time since his close second to DANCE WITH ME in a fast-run 1100-metre race on June 25, DOUBLE THE HONEY has been taken to task at exercise in preparation for this trophy and none will report fitter.

champion jockey

The son of Double Honor won over this trip back in February, beating subsequent King's Plate winner PRICELESS BEAUTY into third. He allowed PRICELESS BEAUTY all of 5.0kg that day and beat her by 4 ¹/⁴ lengths.

Now sitting level, PRICELESS BEAUTY, under champion jockey Omar Walker, looks a prime candidate to fight out the runner-up spot with CASSANOVA BOY.

DOUBLE THE HONEY seems destined for grade-one company and, although asked to allow weight to some very fit horses, should chase and collar NIPHAL entering the straight for an easy win.

Other firm fancies on the card are LADY MACBETH in the first race, SEEK GOLD in the third, SARAH BARRACUDA in the fourth, LIKKLE BIT in the fifth and COLD GROUND in the 10th and final.