Stewart Memorial Cup takes spotlight today

Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer

THE CLIFFORD Stewart Memorial Cup over 1200 metres, to be contested by $220,000-$190,000 claimers in two divisions, takes the spotlight on today's mid-week programme at Caymanas Park.

Division One has attracted 11 starters, while 12 are slated for Division Two.

In the first section, horses such as BUSTER JACK, VENOM, TUTOR, MISS TIMS and hat-trick seeker MOST WANTED will have their share of supporters.

MOST WANTED won impressively over the distance on April 12 in the smart time of 1:14.4 and now bids for three in a row.

The seven-year-old horse from the stables of Robert Darby Sr will be one of those vying for favouritism and with connections going for champion jockey Omar Walker, who is still entitled to a 2kg apprentice allowance, MOST WANTED should make a brave bid.

Specialist over 1200 metres

I fear, however, he will be beaten by the down-in-class PURE JUSTICE, who is something of a specialist over 1200 metres.

Trained by Neive Graham who has enjoyed notable success with him, PURE JUSTICE failed by a head to stave off ITALQUEEN in a round-five race on April 16, this on a $315,000 claiming tag.

The eight-year-old son of Domino Jack was not disgraced on a $335,000 claiming tag last Wednesday when racing prominently to finish 5 3/4 lengths fifth to the front running TIME OF MY LIFE over 1100 metres.

Now stepping down two classes to vie for this trophy, a fit PURE JUSTICE must be the one to beat. Well drawn on the outside of the field, he truly enjoys coming from off the bank and top weight of 57kg should not deter him. With favourite jockey Paul 'Country' Francis back in the saddle, PURE JUSTICE, who has good speed, should win from MOST WANTED and BUSTER JACK.

Division II should see SONNY 'B' GOOD (knocking at the door), TRUE SENSATION (cherry ride for this), RAMADA (notable drop in class), WHEELS OF LAW (con-sistent) and LITTLEREDCOR-VETTE (significant drop in class) in contention where it matters.

Similar to PURE JUSTICE in Division I, the one to beat must surely be the three-year-old gelding LITTLEREDCORVETTE, to be ridden by Omar Walker for champion trainer Wayne DaCosta.

Soundly beaten

The son of Splinter Red beat a decent field of maiden three-year-olds over the straight as recent as April 16 and not surprisingly was soundly beaten by CHOSEN ONE in a fast-run straight-five race on April 26, this on a $460,000 tag.

Having taken this significant step down the claiming ladder, LITTLEREDCORVETTE looks hard to oppose at this level and should win from RAMADA.

Other firm fancies on the card are QUICKSTER in the second race, THUNDER STORM in the third, along with LADY WALES. CHOSEN ONE and SUPER DAVE in the fourth, fifth and 10th races, respectively.

The fleet-footed 3-y-o colt SUPER DAVE from the Philip Feanny stables and Peter McMaster's speedy American filly EXPLOSIVE PEAK should have a battle royal over the straight in the open allowance race to be contested by nine starters.