Eroy, Runaway Algo scheduled for Eros Cup duel

EROY’s out-of-class win in the Hubert Bartley Memorial a month ago, unchallenged in a downpour, scooting home 10 lengths clear with topweight 126lb, clocking 1:31.0 for seven and a half furlongs, spells danger for all and sundry in Saturday’s Eros Trophy at seven furlongs.

Though returning among open allowance/graded stakes company, EROY is no stranger to the group, having clocked 1:31.3 at the trip last November to upset FURTHER AND BEYOND, who had beaten him into fourth in their previous meeting, the Jamaica Cup at nine and a half furlongs.

RUNAWAY ALGO, the railbirds’ horse, has been skating at exercise, clocking three consecutive Saturday bullet works on the re-sanded track. Denied a five-timer by I’VE GOT MAGIC at seven and a half furlongs two months ago, RUNAWAY ALGO was worn down close home, losing by only a half-length.

A speed duel looms between the two foreigners, hot three-year-old RUNAWAY ALGO aiming to make all against four-year-old EROY, who signalled on last that he is back to his best. At seven furlongs, the closers will have a tough time overhauling RUNAWAY ALGO and EROY, who are both capable of dipping below 1:12.0 for the first six furlongs.

Dick Cardenas has opted for Dale Murphy’s RUNAWAY ALGO after his armchair ride astride EROY. In response, Richard Azan has summoned Javaniel Patterson as replacement, a decent rider with an ability to rate speed horses.

Cardenas will try stealing a march on EROY, which is a real possibility, considering he doesn’t like to be eyeballed. However, RUNAWAY ALGO’s Achilles’ heel might very well be a susceptibility to matching speed beyond six furlongs.

Carrying 122lb, I’VE GOT MAGIC was able to stay within a length and a half, at worst, of RUNAWAY ALGO at seven and a half furlongs before collaring him in the last few strides in 1:32.2, allowing the speedster five pounds.

EROY’s 1:31.0 in June was a second and two-fifths faster than I’VE GOT MAGIC’s win against RUNAWAY ALGO in May, done with topweight 126 in sloppy conditions, a time bettered by top-class MAHOGANY’s 1:30.2, six days later on a good track.

Sitting level at 119lb with RUNAWAY ALGO, EROY should get the better of the young Turk at seven furlongs. His pace is superior to I’VE GOT MAGIC, which should have him pouncing much earlier coming off the home turn.

Though EROY is proven material, he abhors a fight, which RUNAWAY ALGO seems to enjoy, making the Eros a tough one to call between the two foreigners.