Wheel N Deal looks hard to beat

Orville Clarke, Gleaner Writer

OVERNIGHT ALLOWANCE takes the spotlight at Caymanas Park today in the G.A. 'Sarge' Bucknor Memorial Trophy over the straight five course.

A competitive looking field of 10 is down to face the starter from which SMOOTHABILITY, THE BEST MAN, OUTSTANDING, WHEEL N DEAL, SISTER CAT and CHARMING LUTHER should figure prominently in the betting.

Significantly, the race marks the return to active competition of the talented four-year-old filly OUTSTANDING, who last raced in February and was subsequently retired to stud. However, connections have decided to reactivate her racing career, and rightly so.

Despite the lengthy absence, the speedy daughter of Law Of The Sea - Tropical Magic, will report in fine fettle, having worked well for her new trainer, Gresford Smith.OUTSTANDING, who previously took orders from the legendary 'Hall- of-Fame' trainer Allan 'Billy' Williams, caught the eye at exercise on September 20, when galloping five furlongs from the gate in 1:00.0. Then, last Thursday, she breezed two furlongs out of the straight in 23.4.

Preparation

Her preparation clearly suggests she is coming to run and could do so on a winning note.

Still, OUTSTANDING will need to be at her sharpest to stave off the trio comprising the down-in-class SMOOTHABILITY, THE BEST MAN and the progressive three-year-old colt WHEEL N DEAL, who has the best form to recommend.

Trained by Richie Todd, WHEEL N DEAL has won two of his past three races in fast times, is genuine to the core and although stepping up in class for what amounts to his sternest test, his chances must be rated highly. He beat the improving GAMBOA over 1100 metres on September 24, covering the distance in the fast time of 1:06.3. And before that he finished just over a length fourth to MR. BLAIR, MACHISMO and REGAL SELECTION over 1300 metres on September 3. With all three winning since, this speaks volumes for the chances of WHEEL N DEAL, as MR BLAIR and MACHISMO came back to win in overnight company.

Capacity to win

Compelling arguments can also be put across for the down-in-class American three-year-old filly SMOOTHABILITY, who though not the best drawn at post position two, has the capacity to win despite a 3 1/2-month absence. True, she has been lightly trained to meet this engagement following her close fourth to EXPLOSIVE PEAK over the round five course on last, but steps down on the lenient mark of 52kg and this could make all the difference.

While having every respect for the fillies SMOOTHABILITY and OUTSTANDING, both will have to be razor sharp to beat my selection, WHEEL N DEAL. In-form jockey Dane Nelson again has the ride.

Other firm fancies on the card are EL PEQUENO to stave off RAINBOW TRAIN and RED GENERAL in the third over 1820 metres, ORION in the fourth, POWER GLITZ to catch ALFALLO and ENDURING in the sixth, GIRLOFMYDREAMS to stave off CALVIN THE GREAT in the seventh and MR BUTCHER ahead of TRUE HONOUR and HASAN in the eighth.