The Guv the one to beat

Orville Clarke, Gleaner Writer

THE GUV, who just failed to make it four in a row at Caymanas Park on May 22, is tipped to resume winning ways when he takes on eight opponents in the open allowance feature for the L.C. McKenzie Memorial Trophy over 1400 metres. Secondary feature on the 10-race programme is race number one in the Caymanas Track Limited (CTL) second series over 1100 metres.

The first series, which ended in June, saw Allistair Sherman with 65 points winning the owners' category to secure $125,000; Barry Dawes also with 65 points taking the trainers' category to claim $75,000, apprentice Aaron Chatrie winning the jockeys' category with 57 points to secure $62,500 and Cecil Williams capturing the grooms' category with 65 points for $50,000.

Meanwhile, there is rich form present in the L.C. McKenzie Trophy, run annually to perpetuate the memory of the late top-line owner in the decade of the seventies.

Keen competition

With the likes of SHANGHAI PASS, CHADMAN, MACHISMO, WILD GLITZ, COMMANDER ZERO and THE GUV all running well recently, this race promises keen competition.

Champion trainer Wayne DaCosta holds a strong hand with the pair of CHADMAN under champion-jockey Omar Walker and COMMANDER ZERO, the mount of hot apprentice Jevanne Erwin. Both horses finished second in driving finishes to FLUFFY and MR. SKILL, respectively, last time out and are worthy opponents for top honours.

The Gary Subratie-trained SHANGHAI PASS has been a model of consistency since the start of the season, and despite his bridesmaid tendencies should make it close. MACHISMO won easily for trainer Anthony 'Baba' Nunes on July 3 and came back with a brave effort in defeat, when finishing third to WILD GLITZ and COMMANDER ZERO in a blanket finish again over 1100 metres on July 14.

Despite their good claims, the one to beat must surely be THE GUV, who has won three of his last four races and was only touched off by the 2009 Superstakes winner HOMBRE over 1820 metres on May 22, a race in which the subsequent Triple Crown winner MARK MY WORD was a nose behind in third.

Nicely refreshed

Trained by Spencer Chung, THE GUV reports nicely refreshed (working well) from a two-month respite to meet this engagement and although hiked a bit in the weights, connections have quite rightly secured the services of top apprentice Doushane Gordon whose 2.0kg claiming allowance reduces the weight to 55.0kg.

THE GUV, who is best drawn on the outside at post position nine, is ideally suited to the distance and being the youngest horse in the field, the four-year-old grey gelding by Royal Minister - Havasac will not go down easily.

He has the pace to race in close touch of the expected leaders SHANGHAI PASS and THE GREYT DOCTOR, and the kick to overhaul rivals in deep stretch.

I also like ROMEZ to win the first race, MISMYRTLEBOYRICHIE in the 3rd, DEVILISH ISHA in the 4th, HERROYALHIGHNESS in the 6th and down in class YAMASHITA'S GOLD in the CTL Claiming Series.