Seeking My Dream primed for Lotto Classic

The Guineas runner-up, SEEKING MY DREAM, looks the one to beat when he takes on nine opponents in the 75th running of the Lotto Classic for the Governor's Cup (native bred three-year-olds) over 2000 metres at Caymanas Park today.

Sponsored by Supreme Ventures Limited, the $3-million Lotto Classic, the final prep for the Cal's Jamaica Derby over 2400 metres, should see SEEKING MY DREAM installed favourite by virtue of his impressive record, having won three races from six starts this season, while finishing second in the other three.

Trained by 14-time champion Wayne DaCosta for Member of Parliament Derrick Smith, SEEKING MY DREAM showed good battling qualities on April 26 when beating old rival SIEMPRE BUENO by 1 1/4 lengths over 1820 metres, after a prolonged duel to the last furlong. His time of 1:58.0 was pretty good and, with the third horse, BRAWN, coming back to win very easily, this speaks volumes for the quality of the first two.

Back then, the chestnut colt by Seeking The Glory out of the 2008 Triple Crown winner and 'Horse of the Year', Alsafra, was ridden by big-race jockey Shane Ellis, who gives way to four-time champion Omar Walker, who renews his association with his former guv'nor, Wayne DaCosta, after a four-year split.

Strong determination

Prior to his last race, SEEKING MY DREAM showed his usual grit and determination when failing by a length to stave off stable-companion ALI BABA in the fast-run 2000 Guineas over a mile (1:37.4) on April 6.

His final time of 1:38.0 was pretty fast, and with the Anthony Nunes-trained SIEMPRE BUENO losing out in their initial speed duel that day, I expect SEEKING MY DREAM to confirm his superiority over topweight SIEMPRE BUENO, one of four challengers from the Nunes stables in the line-up.

I am also expecting SEEKING MY DREAM to outstay his high profile stable-companion, POKER STAR, who is coming off a recent fast-time win (1:17.3) over 1300 metres. His biggest danger must be the Nunes-trained SOUTHERN CRUISE, a lightly raced but progressive bay colt by Liquidity-Honkeytonkville, who is unbeaten in two starts.

Unraced as a two-year-old, SUNSET CRUISE made his belated debut on March 29 with a runaway win over 1300 metres in maiden company with champion jockey Dane Nelson riding for owner/breeder Karl Samuda. And he entered the classic picture a month later when running on strongly to beat RUN WI SHE over 1820 metres in the good time of 1:57.3.

"Southern Cruise has lots of ability and enormous potential," said Nunes. "He definitely stays and, having pleased in his preparation, could be anything."

Coming in on the convenient mark of 53.0kg and Nelson retaining the ride, SOUTHERN CRUISE should ensure that my selection, SEEKING MY DREAM, is extended in the closing stages.

Other firm fancies on the card are the speedy CRUCIAL APPEAL in the $1.5 million Lotto Sprint Trophy grade one race over 1100 metres; GO GO TRAIN in the fourth race for the Lotto Canter Trophy; SECRETENA in the sixth race over 1100 metres for maiden four-year-olds and up; ALACRANN, who bypasses the Lotto Classic to run in the seventh race over 1820 metres for the Lotto Dream Trophy (overnight allowance); and COLD GROUND to catch EL PATRON in the 10th race for the Lotto Encounter Trophy over 1500 metres.