Champion trainer John O'Brien is expected to walk into the Winner's enclosure at win bod the feature and co-feature races on Saturday at Santa Rosa Park, Arima.
O'Brien will saddle four horses in today's feature race on the seven-race programme - the Nursery Stakes for West Indies Bred Two-Year-olds, over a distance of 1,000 metres on the main track at Santa Rosa Park.
O'Brien has won this event many times in the past and will be expected to adds another win to his already bulging bag of successes.
The two who have been going best at exercise are — With Honor, the mount of champion jockey Brian Boodramsing and Passionate, the mount of champion apprentice Kimal Santo. With Honor is the full sister to Bella Riva, so on paper is expected to be very difficult to beat.
His quartet of horses includes Game Changer and Zanza. Ricky Jadoo rides Game Changer for O'Brien and he has a good record with first-time starters. However, it seems she may have to settle for a minor end of the purse. The final horse in the O'Brien quartet is Zanza and this filly will be ridden by Ridge Balgobin.
Harold Chadee, who has a fine record with juveniles will saddle two colts in Whiskey Peddler and Lion Guard. Whiskey Peddler is expected to be the flag-bearer and he will be partnered by Rico Hernandez. He knows his job and could be the party spoiler.
The co-feature Handicap for Horses Rated 80 and Over will see General JN finally in a position to put his head in front. He deserves a change of luck and this race is exactly what the doctor ordered.
This event over 1,200 metres and though saddled with top-weight of 60 kilos Kimal Santo Claim should ensure he walks into the winner's circle after a long absence. Should Stewards Cup winner Early Bird be anywhere near his best he will take some catching with his allotment of 54.4 kilos. Stablemate Making Headlines which will find this trip on the sharp side but will be running on at the end. However, the challenge to the O'Brien quartet will come from the Harriram Gobin pair of Master of War and Affirmative.
Master of War is a classy individual while Affirmative is superbly waited if ready.
Post Time for the first event on today is 12:35 pm
R5:3:20PM - HANDICAP 3 Y.O. & OVER HORSES RATED 80 AND OVER - 1200M - $16,100
242*1*General JN*J O'Brien/K Santo*60*The winner
221*2*Making Headlines*J O'Brien/B Boodramsing*54.5*Running on
134*3*Early Bird*J O'Brien/P Badrie*54.5*Champion
716*4*Regal Intension*H Chadee/R iHernandez*44*Running on
353*5*Master Of War*H Gobin/R Ali*58*Respected
124*6*Affirmative*H Gobin/R Balgobin*44*One to catch
