Orville Clarke, Gleaner Writer

Race number four in the popular Champion Betting/CTL Claiming Series is on at Caymanas Park today and with a large field assembled, it promises keen competition.

Co-feature on the 10-race programme is the annual renewal of the G.A, 'Sarge' Bucknor Memorial Trophy over 1000 metres straight, in which 11 horses from the overnight allowance group are down to face the starter.

Several proven campaigners go for the 'Sarge' Bucknor Memorial Trophy, including the recent winner FOREVER MINE, the consistent course specialist TRIPLE ACCOUNT, another straight specialist HIGH ROLLER, speedy WHEEL N DEAL, along with back-to-form THE REAL STREAM and, of course, MINISTEROFJUSTICE, who is the joint track record holder for the distance.

Endless possibilities

In a race with endless possibilities, MINISTEROFJUSTICE catches my fancy despite that unplaced effort behind WORKING IMAGE over 1200 metres on October 3 in open allowance company.

That was in fact his first outing since July 4 and now better for that effort (working well) and venturing over his pet trip, MINISTEROFJUSTICE can turn it around from the convenient mark of 54.0kg and Dane Nelson aboard.

Nelson rode MINISTEROFJUSTICE to victory the last time the 4-y-o son of Royal Minister-Sub Zero won a race over 1100 metres in fast time (1:05.2) back in February.

Although failing to win since, the Michael McIntosh-trained MINISTEROFJUSTICE has run some brave races in defeat and, now dropped in class, gets a glorious opportunity to resume winning ways.

Meanwhile, 13 have been declared for the Champion Betting Claiming race, including SNOW PROSPECT, who won the first race in the current series on July 28 and DIGI N' JIGGY, winner of the second race over 1400 metres on August 29.

Competitive on paper

While it looks competitive on paper, TOUCHDOWN, who has beaten better in the not-too-distant past, steps way down from claiming $500,000 to $250,000 to contest this race and with the distance just perfect, should prove too strong for rivals in the drive with in-form Brian Harding aboard.

Significantly, Harding was aboard TOUCHDOWN when the seven-year-old mare won impressively over 1500 metres on August 6 on a $230,000 claiming tag. She beat POORLITTLERICHBOY (who renews rivalry) by all of 9 1/2 lengths that day and a reproduction of that performance should take her into the winners' enclosure.

The Champion Lucky Losers competition, which is tied to the race, has eluded punters from the first race in July and there is a carryover of $200,000 today.

Other firm fancies on the card are PEDRO BLUFF in the first race for two-year-olds, ROYAL IMPACT in the fourth, SUGAR'S IMAGE in the fifth and FUNNY SIDE in the closing Track Price Plus 'Dig Out' Handicap.