Movietowne Magic to cast his spell today

DESPITE having only an eight-race programme, the finishes in all races promises to be very keen on Day 8 of the Arima Race Club season at Santa Rosa Park, Arima, today. The day’s feature Restricted Handicap over 1350 metres seems to be a three-way battle between Movietowne Magic who has not raced since October last year, speedy Isle Be True and improving Life In The Sky. But these three apart, aging Bon Voyage, a winner last time out, Naturelly Classy and Over And Above are all capable of springing a surprise. Movietowne Magic has been galloping well and so too Life In The Sky, and turfites will have to choose between this pair to head the eight-horse field home.

But the vote here goes to Movietowne Magic, despite Life In The Sky having ace rider Emile Ramsammy in the saddle. Another very tricky race on the programme is the day’s opener over 1600 metres on the turf course. Here the nod should go to in-form Mandela, but he will have most to fear from Life In Russia and Squee Zintru, who always seems to run a good race. A very interesting race is the 1100 metres for West Indian-bred three-year-old maidens.

Any number can play in this one, as not much has been seen of any of the eight runners except Otra Avenida who finished their behind Hollywood Heidi and Ms Independent last time out. And as a result, this Criollo/Sixth Avenue filly should be the one most backed. But Firepower, Right Decision, Up Above and Go Geronimo has been going fairly well at gallops and must be in the reckoning, and so too Chavez. All the other events have more than three horses capable of winning with solid outsiders who can cause a turn up in the form, and this makes for some interesting racing today. Action begins at 2 pm.