Girvano targets Clovis Metcalfe Trophy glory

This afteroon’s fifth running of the $1.25-million Clovis Metcalfe Trophy has Girvano ’s name written all over it. This Overnight Allowance contest over seven and a half furlongs (1,500m) is the race the four-year-old USA-bred bay colt has been pointed at.

Last time out in the Eros Trophy over seven furlongs (1,400m) on June 6, Girvano finished second behind Legacy Isle’s record run at the Graded Stakes level. That’s top-class form and with Legacy Isle not lining up here, Girvano walks into this race as the class horse.

The Trophy is one of Caymanas’ most respected stakes races and it’s for horses with class and stamina and Girvano has both. He’s trained well and this trip suits him perfectly. On paper, nothing in this field matches the horse he chased home in the Eros.

The race is positioned as the 10th and final event on the day with a post time of 5:45 pm. First race is at 11:50 am.

Three-year-old American-bred dark bay colt Phenomenal Power is the danger. He has won three from four starts locally and was electric over five furlongs (1,000m) round last time in 59.0. This is his first try being stretched out further than five and a half furlongs (1,100m), and if he stays the trip, he can make Girvano work. If he doesn’t, the Trophy is Girvano’s.

Mojito drops back to seven and a half furlongs after a flat run over a mile on June 13. He’s trained really well and has the class to hit the board.

Florindia should love this distance — she won by 7 ¾ lengths over seven furlongs back in February. She’ll be there for the places.

The other runners in the line-up are Fearless Soul, Royal Poppy, Intrestntimesahead, Provident, Supremasi, and Diesel Train.

Ones to watch:

Race 1)
Stein/Golden Syrup/Galway Bay

Race 2)
Pepper Stepper/Novio/Fernando

Race 3)
Press Conference/Eazy Peazy/Laban

Race 4)
Confidence is High/Never Despair/Humility

Race 5)
Green Gold Rush/Salud/Ability

Race 6)
Wah A Gwaan/Swashbuckler/Mo Pai

Race 7)
Unbelievable Power/Maverick/City of Dreams

Race 8)
Sweet Bern/Time Bomb/C W Treasure

Race 9)
Havajoy/Bomb Night/Town Star

Race 10)
Girvano/Phenomenal Power/Mojito