The Guv halts Ronron

Orville Clarke, Sunday Gleaner Writer

Vastly improved, THE GUV burst the RONRON bubble at Caymanas Park yesterday, disposing of the classy American filly a furlong out to win the annual renewal of the L.R. 'Bob' Mayall Memorial Trophy grade one feature over 1600 metres in fast time.

However, the talented four-year-old grey colt, ridden by the season's top apprentice, Aaron Chatrie, for trainer Spencer Chung, had to survive a stewards' inquiry for crossing the 2-5 favourite RONRON under topline jockey Paul 'Country' Francis a furlong out.

THE GUV, running as the 9-5 second favourite, had just gained the ascendancy on the outside approaching the distance when the son of Royal Minister-Havasac ran down sharply to the rails, forcing Francis aboard RONRON to take a pull.

As THE GUV passed the post 4 1/4 lengths clear of RONRON in a field of six, it was the general belief than that their positions would be reversed. Amid excitement from the instant replay of the race, some punters were yelling "it gone".

But cooler heads prevailed in the stewards' room and THE GUV was allowed to keep the race, as it was clear that he won on merit.

Held off the pace in fourth as RONRON and FLUFFY (6-1) under champion jockey Omar Walker were engaged in a speed duel on the lead for the first 1200 metres, THE GUV improved sharply to go second entering the straight.

He soon mounted his challenge and with RONRON beginning to shorten, went by in mid-stretch for an easy win, covering the distance in the smart time of 1:37.0, behind splits of 24.0, 46.0 for the half-mile and 1:11.1 for the first 1200 metres.

THE GUV is owned by HSV and bred by Stephen and Val Chung, along with Howard Hamilton.

"I told the jockey to switch the stick to the left hand and he didn't," said Chung in reference to THE GUV running down off a true line in mid-stretch. "But he won on merit in a fast time and thus augurs well for the Superstakes."

Walker, the leading jockey, rode three winners on the card to push his season's tally to 74. The Robert Pearson-trained 2-y-o colt, TRADITIONAL PRINCE (Dick Cardenas Up), romped the day's secondary feature, the Dewhurst Stakes.