Fifteen declared for Superstakes

Orville Clarke, Gleaner Writer

Last year's shock winner HOMBRE heads a field of 15 three-year-olds and up declared at the overnight stage yesterday for the 32nd running of the CTL Superstakes over 2000 metres at Caymanas Park on Saturday.

Offering a total purse of $5 million, the prestigious grade one invitational race has also attracted this year's Triple Crown winner MARK MY WORD from the stables of Richard Azan, and the vastly improved grey colt THE GUV, who is conditioned by Spencer Chung.

The Noel Ennevor-trained HOMBRE, who won at the gigantic odds of 52-1 last year, will again be ridden by his favourite jockey, Andre Martin, while MARK MY WORD will be partnered by his Triple Crown winning jockey Dick Cardenas.

In a somewhat surprising move, the connections of THE GUV had opted for champion jockey Omar Walker over leading all-time jockey Winston 'Fanna' Griffiths who, up to a fortnight ago, was expected to ride the son of Royal Minister - Havasac.

Griffiths, who seeks his 1,600th career win on Saturday, had been working THE GUV on a regular basis at exercise, before Walker entered the picture.

It is interesting to note that Griffiths is down to partner hot favourite SAINT CECELIA for Chung in the $2 million CTL Caribbean Sprint, indicating no malice on the part of either party.

Both the GUV and MARK MY WORD have been working exceptionally well in preparation for the race, and along with the front-running HOMBRE, should make it an unforgettable experience.

The Superstakes field in post position order (1 to 15) is as follows:

HOMBRE (A. Martin), RUM TALK (R. Wilson), SLEDGE (T. Nelson), MARK MY WORD (D. Cardenas). PRIME MINISTER (D. Nelson), PRINCE ROHAN (D. Gordon), RIVER STYX (J. Erwin), HE'S REALLY OK (C. Lynch), HEART OF GOLD (G. Sergeon), AL FOUZIA (S. Ellis), GO MY ROBIN (L. Allen), VONALMIGHTY (A. Maragh), RUNNING LOOSE (T. Simpson), THE GUV (O. Walker) and the 2007 winner MAJOR MAYER (R. Mitchell).