Punto looks set for Handicap success

PUNTO A PUNTO can continue his upturn in form for trainer Douglas Bennett by taking the Handicap 1 and Lower feature on the Arima Race Club Day 11 programme at Santa Rosa Park, Arima, today.

The six-year-old son of Researching was the subject of some support to take a 1350-metres sprint at the end of last month but found Man Of Class two and a quarter lengths too good. But that confidence would not seem to be misplaced on the selection at the top  of his form, as the lone grey in the eight-horse opener on today’s programme apprears to have thrived since. That race was his second this term since coming off a two month rest. Punto A Punto had a successful 2002 season by normal standards, winning four races and finishing second on four occasions from 17 starts.

Among the $83,290.50 earned from his campaign was a cheque for beating Stewards Cup winner Cash Wager on Independence Day. Having shown he can step with the best, today’s event on the eight-race card represents a big drop in class for Punto A Punto. Among the seven runners he has to contend with from trainer Maniram “Boboy” Maharaj stable, only Smooth Operator and Man of Class look likely opponets. Smooth Operator has performed with distinction on the turf and would have taken some beating if the event had not been switched to the main course.

Man Of Class, on the other hand has been a revelation on the sand since joining the barn famous for the green and white colours last year. The son of Bandsman raced consistently this season having already made seven racecourse appearances. And though the battle-hardened five-year-old hardly runs a bad race, he may find a fresher Punto A Punto, with Ricardo Jadoo aboard, and two kilos better off at the weights a different proposition.