Hot sprint battle looms at the Park
PATRIARCH has 126lb and a bullseye on his back Saturday afternoon, taking on two former stablemates – PRINCE CHARLES and UNIVERSAL BOSS – plus super-fit, recent fast-time winner, FATHER PATRICK, at five and a half furlongs.
PATRIARCH reminded on last that he remains one of the quickest horses at Caymanas Park, toting 115lb and carrying former stablemates, PRINCE CHARLES and 130lb-topweight, TOONA CILIATA, to the furlong pole, going six-and-a-half, on July 20.
Despite running a furlong shorter, trainer Fitzgerald Richards has ditched the steady eight-pound claiming apprentice, Oshane Nugent, in favour of bustling Robert Halledeen, tossing what would have been a significant weight advantage for more muscle in the saddle.
Brawn in favour of weight exposes the plan to have PATRIARCH run the field off their legs and last home under Halledeen’s strong handling. However, the other riders also know exactly what they have to do – don’t allow the speedster to settle with the big weight.
FIRST THREE FURLONGS
It’s hardly likely that PATRIARCH can be led for at least the first three furlongs, which puts him coming off the turn in front. However, FATHER PATRICK is zippy and has 117lb, a nine-pound licence for Omar Walker to go after PATRIARCH leaving the three-pole.
Expect the cavalry charge to come in the stretch run when Anthony Nunes’ run-on sprinters, PRINCE CHARLES and transformed UNIVERSAL BOSS, get rolling. PRINCE CHARLES has 126lb and Dane Nelson aboard whereas UNIVERSAL BOSS comes in at 117lb under Dick Cardenas, the in-form Panamanian with the sniper rifle.
UNIVERSAL BOSS has been nothing but spectacular since February, losing only to super three-year-old, Guineas winner WOW WOW, at six and a half furlongs on July 5, gallantly going down by a little under four lengths in a fast 1:18.3. UNIVERSAL BOSS returned to frank that run by outfinishing course-specialist PEKING CRUZ at five furlongs straight two weeks later.
It will take a relay to take down PATRIARCH. FATHER PATRICK has a habit of being a step or two slowly from the gate. He used his class to knife through rivals at the half-mile when clocking 1:05.3 on a fast track on August 1.
However, if FATHER PATRICK blinks at the start, PATRIARCH could steal the race because PRINCE CHARLES at 126lb could be left flatfooted should he be asked to come off his bridle too early. UNIVERSAL BOSS is the ideal run-on horse but only if the pace collapses.