Money Market the one to beat in Nigel B Nunes Memorial Cup

ALL eyes will be on Money Market when the $1.25-million Nigel B Nunes Memorial Cup takes centre stage on today’s nine-race card at Caymanas Park. The Gary Subratie trainee returns from a 161-day layoff as the one to beat in a capacity field of 16 for this Overnight Allowance contest for three-year-olds and upward over five furlongs (1,000m) straight. Money Market, a six-year-old bay horse by Successful Native out of Soca Dancer, was last seen on May 2 when finishing fourth to the high-class Legacy Isle over this same straight course. That was a solid effort in defeat, and the manner in which he has been moving in the mornings since suggests he has come forward nicely during his break. Subratie has him razor-sharp for this return. With nothing of Legacy Isle’s calibre in this line-up, the conditions are set for a winning comeback. Over the straight, position and early speed are everything, and Money Market has both the class and the preparation to take full advantage. He will not have it all his own way. The biggest danger comes from the opposite end of the gate. Mack and Rome loves the straight, winning over this course and distance on February 7 in a slick 57.4. He is proven over the track and trip and cannot be ignored despite drawing 15. Commander Z (USA) brings the key form line into the race, having finished a creditable fourth, 7½ lengths behind Pepper Stepper and Of A Revolution over this track on September 12. If he reproduces that effort, he will be right there. Straight specialist Formalist is another to respect. Three of his four career wins have come over the straight, including two at five furlongs and one at four furlongs. He knows how to handle this unique test and will be running on strongly late. Further down, Teflon Don makes little appeal on form figures but has shown big improvement at exercise and could outrun his odds to grab a minor share. The rest have questions to answer. Hail The Queen comes in chasing a hat-trick after two upset wins, but this is a steep rise in class. Honour Prince has had only three starts this season, suggesting issues, but has enough ability to sneak into the superfecta. Lockdown is poorly placed from the inside draw over the straight and will be outpaced early. Wicked Cassie (USA), Johncrowjeff, Miss MoneyPenny, Starraura, Danka, Get A Pepsi. Princess Fianie and Bulletproofcoffee (USA) all look held on current form and will need to improve dramatically to figure. The contest is positioned as the eighth event on the card with a post time of 4:40 pm. First race is at 11:50 am. — Ruddy Allen Ones to watch: Race 1) Drop Off/Starlight Princess/Reportable Offense Race 2) Birthday King/Boss Over Boss/Sooryavanshi Race 3) Flybluejet/Brompton Bopy/Dream to Reality Race 4) Feeling Free/Four Thirty/Lauren’s Secret Race 5) Disobedient Bull/Runaway Star/Enthusiastic Race 6) Don’t Tell Lou Lou/Chief Dissident/Golden Lawyer Race 7) Woodburn Hills/Pickleball/Stina Race 8) Money Magnet/Mack and Rome/Commander Z Race 9) D Head Cornerstone/Sonny T and Chippy/ Whisky