The new season began last weekend and 31 ponies are expected in 20 heats with several exciting match-ups set.

One of those involves Fernando Rego's T.W.Bell, which returns after a near two-year lay-off to contest Just a Gigolo (Michael Roberts) and Motown Scott (David Lopes).

Making a belated season debut will be Grand Marshall with new driver Kenny Mills, but he'll have a tough battle as alongside will be Daniel Greenslade's Hoe Down Don and Sergio Burgess and Custom Eyes'd.

Other races to look out for are heats five and 10 when veteran Nateway tackles two of the sport's rising stars J.R. Mateau Design and Grand Shady, both of which are potential free-for-all runners.

Jarizhino Cooper has his work cut out as he and Just Cruisin match wits and muscle against Bad Boy Tony and Maple Hill T Bird.

The B division of the junior free-for-all pits Bobby DeGraffe's Gusto's Cracker Jack against Melody Time driven by John Flood.

Meanwhile, the main event sees Shamrock Tuxedo earning the pole position against Eddie the Great and Carolina Jubilee.

TRIATHLON TRI Adams Smith placed 28th in a field over over 600 competitors at last weekend's Mission Bay Triathlon in San Diego which marked the 21st anniversary of the first triathlon worldwide.

Smith was also third in his age group in a time of 55 minutes, 38 seconds for the 500 metres swim, 15k bike ride and 5k run. He is training hard for the World Championships in Mexico and has joined his university's triathlon squad, using the superb facilities of the campus for swimming and running and the roads to the north of the campus for cycling.

POOL POO Seven perfect scores were turned in during latest action in the Bermuda Pool League, with Gary Bascome and Nathan Stevens achieving the feat to lead top of the table Swinging Doors I to victory over Robin Hood I.

Jim Tubman, Jack Simon and Keith Gilfether all had perfect scores as mid-table Docksiders beat War Vets II. Others with perfect scores were Kidd Mouchette of War Vets I (who beat Hamilton Parish II) and Richard Foggo who led Hamilton Parish I to victory over Vasco II.

Swinging Doors I are one of four teams with perfect 5-0 records, the others being Vasco I, War Vets I and Hamilton Parish I. Vasco beat Mariners in their match.

CRICKET CRI The Bermuda Cricket Board of Control's annual prize giving ceremony will take place at Western Stars Sports Club next Friday starting at 7.30 p.m. sharp.

The BCBC will recognise the achievements of league and Knockout Cup champions as well as numerous individual performances. The officers of the BCBC, affiliates and cricketers of member clubs are invited to attend. Dress is smart casual.