Eileen Cliggott Memorial Trophy – 6 ½ furlongs the feature
KINGSTON, Jamaica – The 2022 rendition of the Eileen Cliggott Memorial Trophy for horses three-year-old and upwards in the Graded Stakes bracket at 6 ½ furlongs is rightly the race that will attract the most attention on the 10-race Saturday card (February 5) at Caymanas Park.
Seven horses are entered and they are with riders in brackets; Father Patrick (Oshane Nugent), Superliminal (Ricardo Duhaney), Double Crown (Prayven Badrie), Nuclear Noon (Robert Halledeen), Eagle One (Anthony Thomas), Sparkle Diamond (Tevin Foster), and Duke (Dane Dawkins).
Of those listed seven participants, Superluminal and Double Crown both trained by Ian Parsard can be ruled out as they seem to be filling spots to make the race go off for their more illustrious stablemate Father Patrick.
Father Patrick, a six-year-old bay gelding by Nuclear Wayne out of Late Appeal, has proven without any doubt that he is the top sprinter around at this time after wins at the backend of last season in the None Such (six furlongs) and the Chris Armond (5 ½ furlongs).
As a result, Father Patrick heads the handicaps allowing lumps of weight to his six rivals. Father Patrick has not raced this long since August of last year when he was beaten by Eroy, Rojorn Di Pilot, and Duke, with the latter also present in this trophy offering.
Having received a rest period of 40 days, Father Patrick is fit and ready with the distance probably the only hindrance. Father Patrick can lead, and as well, he can sit off the pace, which is the way his rider is expected to go.
Father Patrick, even with the big weight is given every chance of winning.
Nuclear Noon, a four-year-old bay colt by Nuclear Wayne out of Noon It Is, cannot be easily defined. He was scheduled to race last Saturday but was made a late non-starter with the official notification given as lame.
Since winning at the Overnight level on November 6, 2021, Nuclear Noon has competed three times in Open Allowance finishing seventh, fifth, and fourth. He will probably need more time to sink his hoofs into this grouping.
Eagle One, a five-year-old bay gelding imported from the US by Astrology out Frisky Cheerleader races with the figure 8 on. Eagle One has been very consistent finishing second, first, and third in his last three runs in this class, and now with a drop of 8 lb in the weight on his back, Eagle One is poised for another good effort, plus the distance is about right for this foreigner.
Sparkle Diamond, a six-year-old chestnut gelding imported from the US by Include out of Myntz Connection is back among those he can manage having been whopped by Father Patrick in the None Such and by Further and Beyond in the Ian Levy Trophy. This overseas entry might need time among these.
Duke, a six-year-old grey horse by Casual Trick out Lady MacBeth, raced 17 times in 2021, winning five times. Duke is racing for the first time this season and with 40 days of rest, he is primed to give his best. Duke did not show up in the Chris Armond when he finished seventh behind Father Patrick.
That run can be excused as it came at the backend of a tough year and now with the rest and with the trip, not an issue, expect a royal run by Duke.
