PHINEAS for Fontainbleu Trophy

With the threat of Hurricane Matthew having ended on a positive note, yesterday's mid-week programme, which was cancelled by CTL on Monday, has been revived by the promoters and will; be run off today.

The well-supported 10-race programme, which commences a 12:40 p.m, features three trophy races. These are the 3-y-o and up open allowance race over 1500 metres for the Fontainbleu Trophy, the Cecil C. Charlton Memorial Trophy over 1,300 metres for $500,000 - $550,000 claiming horses and the Monica Todd Memorial Cup over 2,000 metres for $180,000 claimers.

The focus of attention will definitely be on the Fontainbleu Trophy to be contested by seven starters, all of whom are enjoying good form.

Included in the line-up are the consistent 7-y-o gelding PHINEAS, who shoulders joint topweight of 57.0kg with TRADITIONAL PRINCE.

MORE EFFECTIVE

Over this trip, however, PHINEAS is definitely the more effective, and with trainer Andrew McDonald calling up in-form rider Robert Halledeen, the son of Distorted - Winning Spirit will not go down easily.

PHINEAS has won twice from five starts this season, and having finished a good third to BRAWN in the recent Saint Cecelia Cup, is in good nick for this race. With the genuine speedsters FORCE D JOUR, MOM'S STUDENT and SIR BUDGET expected to ensure a hot early pace, things should be set up nicely for PHINEAS, who won't be far off entering the straight.

This is a horse who beat none other than Horse of the Year SEEKING MY DREAM by a head last November in the CTL Invitational Mile, and with those credentials, gets the nod over MOM'S SECRET and HOVER CRAFT.

Other firm fancies on the card are the well-forward 2-y-o debutante FEARLESS SAMURAI in her first race, GIRLY GIRLY LINKS in the fourth, COLORS OF WAR over DR TRAIN in the Monica Todd Memorial Cup and SCOOP JORDYNE to score an overdue win in the Cecil C. Charlton Memorial Trophy to be contested by nine starters.