Father Patrick returns with eyes on Lady Geeta Trophy
FATHER Patrick, after a two-month break, returns to competitive racing well freshened and is expected to lead home rivals in what should be an explosive battle in the renewal of the $1.5-million Lady Geeta Trophy feature race going six furlongs (1,200m) at Caymanas Park today.
The current sprint champion,
Father Patrick, is without a win from two starts this season, having finished second to Eagle One in the Eileen Gliggott Memorial Trophy over six and a half furlongs (1,300m) on February 5, and an unplaced effort in the Supreme Ventures Racing and Entertainment Limited (SVREL) 5th Anniversary Trophy over five and a half furlongs (1,100m) on March 5.
The Ian Parsard trainee is well-prepared for this encounter, and if all goes well at the gates, then Father Patrick can sit behind the pacesetters and strike in the lane. The only possible hindrance is that Father Patrick is allowing weight to his six rivals and as a result he will have to make every step right.
Recent winner Duke is expected to give Father Patrick most to do here, while stable companions Lure of Lucy, King Arthur and Eagle One should play prominent roles. Hover Craft and Double Crown are here to test the depth of the water.
The three-year-old and upwards Open Allowance/graded Stakes contest is positioned as the 10th event on the 11-race card with a post time of 4:55 pm. First race is 11:30 am.
Duke is a very consistent runner, who was a winner on April 17 when travelling five furlongs round. Duke gets a three-kilogramme pull in the weights, cutting down from 57.0kgs to 54.0kgs and with his known ability of staying just off the pace and then pouncing in the straight, he is a live contender to take home this trophy event. With the red-hot pair of jockey Dane Dawkins and trainer Gary Subratie involved, Duke stocks will soar.
Lure of Lucy was not disgraced on her seasonal debut (April 19) when finishing sixth by 5 ¾ lengths behind Runaway Algo and Mahogany in the Easter Sprint Cup. That was in the class below at the Overnight Allowance level, and now up in grade, Lure of Lucy’s chances are limited, but she is light (44.0 kgs), and as such, if she breaks well from the one draw can be dangerous.
Former Jamaica Derby winner
King Arthur ran below expectation in the Viceroy Trophy over seven and a half furlongs (1,500m) on April 23. Trained by Jason Dcosta, King Arthur is currently struggling to find his true self and would prefer this race to be longer but has won already going five furlongs (1,000m) straight and so should take a hand in the outcome of this race.
Eagle One, meantime, returns from an earned break of 42 days for competition here and does so fresh and well-prepared, based on his exercise spins. The trip of six furlongs holds no terrors for him and as such he can revisit the winners’ circle.