Headline News against four in Caribbean Sprint

When final entries were taken yesterday, ohnly five horses took entry to the Grade 3 race over 1200 metres for West Indies-bred three-year-olds and over.

Three of the runners will be saddled by John Leotaud, who has taken over the string previouisly held by champion trainer John O’Brien, who is serving out a suspension.

The Ruthven Smithowned Headline News who holds a victory over four-time Horse of the Year, Bigman In Town (in the Starlight Stakes) is returning after missing all of last season because of injury.

The six-year–old chestnut son of Silver Train/Igotaspellonyou to be ridden by “big race” ace Nobel Abrego will be rivalled by three-year-old stablemates Crown The King and Desert Dancer along with the very consistent Swept Away and Blue OracleHeadline News will be packing 57 kilos, giving away from 1.5 kilos to Crown The King to six kilos to Desert Dancer.

When racing returns to Santa Rosa after a one-week respite for the celebration of Divali, eight races with some otherwwise full fields.

Turfites will have a target of over $17,000 carryover and a single winner bonus of over $21,000 to aim at on the Hi 5.

The day’s programme is timed to get underway at 1pm.