Jimmie, Star Racing Writer

PATRICK Lynch's TRADITIONAL PRINCE ran a great race in the Caribbean Sprint on Superstakes Day and should use his pace to outgun six rivals in tomorrow's 1400-metre Gladiator Trophy. The six-year-old gelding broke sharply with 57.0 kilos in the 1200-metre event and chased TALENTEDTONYK and CRUCIAL APPEAL into the lane. Chasing splits of 22.3 and 45.2 took toll close home and Lynch's gelding weakened into seventh close home.

However, the effort was a brave one as, though finishing seventh, TRADITIONAL PRINCE was only two and a half lengths behind the crowded finish won by a storming POTCHEEN ahead of ALL CORRECT closing like a train himself.

Lynch has removed the tongue-tie for tomorrow's additional furlong, which should have the effect of easing the throttle on TRADITIONAL PRINCE, whose pace should only be matched by up-in-class CAMPESINO.

Feanny's CAMPESINO steps up in class with 53.0 kilos after beating SCOOP JORDYNE in overnight allowance last Saturday. The four-year-old gelding returns two pounds lighter, going the same distance, and will try making all.

However, getting away from TRADITIONAL PRINCE won't be easy. Lynch's Caribbean Sprint run was two classes higher than CAMPESINO's overnight allowance victory a week later. CAMPESINO, could, in fact serve as an ideal rabbit for TRADITIONAL PRINCE, setting the early splits for Lynch's runner to chase and pounce.

Champion trainer Wayne DaCosta has a trio of closers in the event - MR LUVAL, EXOTIC GOLD and HOVER CRAFT, who will be hot on TRADITIONAL PRINCE's trail.

Down-in-class EXOTIC GOLD ran well to the half mile in the Superstakes before disappearing. The versatile five-year-old mare has quietly slipped down in class where she was twice beaten by TYPEWRITER, August and September.

EXOTIC GOLD, however, is too close in the handicaps at 55.0 kilos to keep pace with TRADITIONAL PRINCE and could be forced off her bridle too early if she tries to chase the pace.