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Classy Phineas to prevail in Harrison Sr Memorial Cup

Published:Saturday | July 13, 2013 | 12:00 AM
SHE CAN PREACH, with Richard Lunan aboard, speeds to a two-length win over ANDY CAPP (unseen) in the Boom Life Energy 4-y-o & Up Restricted by Earnings $180,000 Claiming race over 1400 metres at Caymanas Park last Saturday. -Colin Hamilton/Photographer

Orville Clarke, Gleaner Writer

PHINEAS, a lightly raced but progressive sort, should win today's restricted allowance feature (four-year-olds and up) over 1300 metres for the Henry George Harrison Sr Memorial Cup at Caymanas Park.

As many as 14 horses have been declared, but despite the large field, PHINEAS looks a standout on the strength of his runaway win over 1100 metres on May 11 when having his first outing in almost five months.

Trained by Norman Palmer, the 4-y-o gelding by Distorted-Winning Spirit was installed an even-money favourite to follow up over this trip on June 15, only to be caught on the wire by ROYAL LINE.

PHINEAS beat the third horse, SUNSHINE CITY - a subsequent winner - by six lengths, and with that race being run in a fairly good time (1:21.1), this speaks volumes for his chances.

There is not much speed present and PHINEAS (Jevanne Erwin up) should be able to assume the lead from early and win from another lightly-raced 4-y-o gelding, THE PROFESSIONAL, who looked much improved when scoring easily over 1200 metres in maiden company on June 29.

AMANDA PANDA and J.T. EXPRESS should complete the frame.

Elsewhere on the 10-race programme, the open allowance sprint promises to be the most interesting race of the day, with seven fit horses down to face the starter.

The quality field includes the recent winners HUPOMONE, DOUBLE THE HONEY, and TRADITIONAL PRINCE, who won over 1200 metres last Saturday and is up in class for this race. Also expected to figure seriously are the back-to-form EL PODEROSO, fleet-footed LASHING FORCE and consistent PALACE GOLD.

The Philip Feanny-trained American colt, EL PODEROSO, ran a blinder in defeat on June 22 when finishing second to BLAST THEM AWAY in the grade one Eros Trophy, a race in which he led in fast splits until the last furlong.

Now dropped in class and conveniently placed in the scales with 51.5kg, EL PODEROSO - working very well - should score an overdue victory with competent 3.0kg claiming apprentice Orlando Foster aboard.

There is much speed present and the danger is that they could set it up for a strong run on a sprinter such as PALACE GOLD. But EL PODEROSO can do anything when 100 per cent fit.

I also like CAMPESINO to win the first race, AGAKHAN in the third, THUNDERHEART over TITANIC in the fifth, and IMPERIAL FORTUNE to repeat in the sixth.