The Massy United Insurance Trinidad Derby will be run off tomorrow and an exciting race is in prospect.
Although a relatively small field of 11 horses will be lining up for the event, it is a highly competitive event notwithstanding the likely presence of a big favourite in the Jamaican-bred Leading Lady.
This filly has shown herself to be the best stayer among the three-year-olds this year and was a very impressive winner of the Midsummer Classic in her final start. There is no doubt that she will get every metre of the 2,000m distance but her running style could leave her vulnerable to any horse with more tactical speed and equal amounts of stamina.
Were she to win the event, she would become only the second filly to win the Derby since racing was centralised at Santa Rosa Park in 1994. The only filly to do that so far, being Pride N Glory in 2008.
Pride N Glory, in fact, also has a connection to this event being the dam of the main locally-bred contender, Caesar Country. This colt blotted his copybook in his final start, the Midsummer Classic, when he was pulled up and did not finish. Prior to that, he had won his first two starts and was a close second to Valorous in the Guineas with Leading Lady behind in third. If he has overcome the issues which resulted in his failure to complete the Classic, he could have every chance of challenging for the victory.
The Guineas winner Valorous returns and this colt must be given every chance, in spite of his defeat in the Midsummer Classic. He seemed to get over the sloppy track of the Guineas with much more aplomb than he handled the fast track of the Midsummer and although his rider in the first two classics, Patrick Husbands, has not returned to ride him in the final leg, he still has every chance of competing for the top prize.
Divine Inspiration (third in Midsummer) and Rocket Wheels (fourth in Guineas) also return and given ordinary luck in running, also have decent chances of at least placing in the final leg of the “Triple Crown”.
Last year’s champion juvenile, Battle Cry (fourth in the Midsummer) has looked a shadow of the 2016 juvenile but he is also still coming back from a long injury. He is not without hope.
Among the longer shots, Maha Raja seems to be in as a pacemaker for Leading Lady; Hello and Discouldrun have not shown enough to suggest that they would be competitive at anything above the 50 class while Golden Choice has raced exclusively at distances below 1,350m. Lord Silver, was a close second to Caesar Country in the Royal Colours Classic, seemed to lose his way for a while, but his victory in his last start maiden at least provides some hope to connections that he could be on his way back.
Independence Day also sees the running of the Massy Remittances Independence Cup scheduled to be run off over 1,800m on the turf. The actual complexion of this race depends on the surface since if the race remains on the turf, it is highly likely that leading contender and President’s Cup winner, Whisper Light, would not be taking his chance. On the main track, Whisper Light is likely to take all of the beating since most of his rivals either prefer the turf surface and/or are not up to this level.
Two rivals that do not care about the surface are Conquest Bespoke and the returning Thisonesforron. The latter will be returning to the track after an absence of almost eight months but has been training well in preparation for this event. He will be the horse to beat on a turf surface.
Conquest Bespoke is also versatile but just a touch below either of his two aforementioned rivals. He has also been deserted by stable rider, Ron Ali, in favour of Stockyard. This son of Scat Daddy is bred to relish a turf surface which explains his defeat by Buffalo Soldier on his debut. While he can perform respectably on the main track, connections will be looking forward to seeing him stretch his legs on the turf.
Of the others, both Trini Navigator and Magical Victory have performed much better on turf than the main track though neither convinces of being out of the top drawer, even by local standards. Madiba has thrived since switched to the turf but remains well down on class against his other turf rivals. This range hinges on the weather and the answer will be known early on Thursday morning.
A ten race card is in store and as usual, for a public holiday featuring a major race, some highly competitive races have been arranged. All race fans are encouraged to come out to the track.