Weaver’s French gelding is in it’s fourth season in Jersey and so far it seems to be his best.
The one and a half mile distance will ideally suit him but it will be no easy task.
His old adversary Minnie’s Mystery will be very close again and Crossways, now in receipt of weight from Off Minor – despite a win in Guernsey – will be much closer than his two previous runs in Jersey this year.
The consistent Palala River should be in the frame and last year’s Clarendon Trophy winner, Martin’s Sunset, will be closer than he was on his first run on 30 May.
That leaves Khuzdar from Alyson Malzard’s yard who won last time over one and three quarter miles after many incidents of bad luck during 2004 and the early part of this year.
It is difficult to relate the form of that win to Off Minor’s win on the same day, but with one and a half stone weight advantage, Khuzdar has a good, if not better, chance than Crossways and Minnie’s Mystery of beating Off Minor.
The Jersey Race Club’s season is now in full swing and first race tomorrow is the Investec Handicap Hurdle with eight runners involved.
The result will probably centre on three contestants, Jaskini, Keep on Running and Shinbang, who all share top weight of 11 stone and 10 lb.
Guernsey-trained Jaskini, a winner here on Easter Monday, has been kept fit with two runs on the flat recently and may well start favourite.
Des Ahier’s Shinbang has still not shown his French form and may have to wait for a maiden hurdle race before getting his head in front.
That leaves the head strong Keep on Running, with whom Alyson Malzard and her team have done an excellent job in training and nurturing this horse’s undoubted ability.
Alan Jones gave this horse an enterprising ride last time, and if he manages to restrain him, sufficient to leave ‘something in the tank’ for the last quarter mile, he is the one they all have to catch.
Eleven runners turn out for the Stanley Bet Handicap, including a UK contender, Isleofhopeandtears – one to watch on his first run in Jersey.
The two who stand out in this race, with more than an each way chance, are Missus Link and Royal Starlet.
The former, trained by Colin McCready, beat Perfect Portrait and Catcando over seven furlongs last time, which was no mean achievement.
Joan Le Brocq has a useful newcomer in four-year-old Royal Starlet owned by her principal owner Joan May.
Royal Starlet finished a close third behind middle distance performers Off Minor and Minnie’s Mystery last time over one and a quarter miles, doing her best work at the end of the race.
A slightly shorter distance this time may not be in her favour, but a two-stone weight advantage from Missus Link will help.
Of the rest, Neville Ahier’s Regal Ali has become a consistent performer over hurdles and on the flat, and should run another good race.
Time to Wyn is running over a suitable distance and may be in the frame.
The five and a half furlong sprint handicap, sponsored by Trinity Holdings, is headed in the weights by Catcando who is set to give his opponents upwards of 18 lbs.
A multiple winner last year, his training routine this season was slightly hampered, but an encouraging third place last time suggests a good performance tomorrow.
Jockey arrangements in Stephen Arthur’s yard indicate he is preferred over stable companion Highland Flight, although this minimum distance suits Flight.
Phyllis Somers’ Perfect Portrait has placed on each occasion this year, and a repeat of last August Bank Holiday’s form over this distance would ensure a win.
The other horse with a significant chance is UK trained Master Rattle, a winner at Les Landes last year.
On Easter Monday he won over seven furlongs at level weights with Perfect Portrait.
Tomorrow he receives 11 lbs from Perfect Portrait and slightly over two stone from Catcando.
Newcomer I’m Aimee has reasonable UK form for a three year old and may place, while Johayro will put up his usual good performance.
The largest field is in the Zoomfood.com handicap sponsored by the race course caterers.
The Sterling Partnership’s Snow Lark will probably start favourite, having won two races in this company this year.
Principal opposition will be the versatile Hakam, who beat Snow Lark in Guernsey and also ran a very good race last time finishing only two lengths behind Khuzdar over one and three quarter miles.
Guernsey-trained Lieuday and Return of the Fairy are worth each way bets.
Joan May and Angie Richardson’s Cheeky Girl would only have to produce a glimpse of 2003 UK form to win here, and should not be ruled out as her last two runs have indicated improvement.
Certainly a wide open race for the minor places including the chances of UK-trained Jubilee Prince.
