Mark My Word to land Superstakes

Orville Clarke, Gleaner Writer

Fourteen distance horses are down to contest the 32nd running of the Caymanas Track Limited (CTL) Superstakes over 2000 metres at Caymanas Park today.

Among the starters are last year's shock winner, HOMBRE, to again be ridden by favourite jockey André Martin for veteran trainer Noel Ennevor, this year's Triple Crown winner and leading Horse of the Year contender, MARK MY WORD, with Dick Cardenas riding for trainer Richard Azan and not least, THE GUV, to be ridden by champion jockey Omar Walker for trainer Spencer Chung.

Looking at the form and class of the runners, it will definitely come down to the big three, as the 2007 winner, MAJOR MAYER, and last year's runner-up, RUM TALK, are no longer the force of yesteryear.

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

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

Significantly, when the three principals met for the only time on May 22 in an open-allowance race over 1820 metres, HOMBRE turned in a gusty performance, rallying strongly on the inside to beat THE GUV by a short head, with MARK MY WORD another nose away third in a spectacular blanket finish.

With all three seeking repeat wins today, it promises to be close once again, especially with MARK MY WORD and THE GUV burning up the track at exercise in preparation for the race.

Performance

Although the front-running HOMBRE is a tough and consistent competitor who will make a brave bid from in front, I believe that THE GUV and MARK MY WORD have improved so much since their May 22 meeting that the circumstances will be different.

THE GUV turned in the performance of the season when last raced on September 25, humbling the classy American filly, RONRON, in the L.R. 'Bob' Mayall Memorial Trophy grade one race, beating her by 4 1/4 lengths in the smart time of 1:37.0.

That time was one and two-fifths of a second faster than the time returned for the same distance by MARK MY WORD when scoring by 7 3/4 lengths in the Owen Silvera Memorial Cup on September 11. But it should be recalled that MARK MY WORD was eased right down by Cardenas over the last 100 metres that day.

Both horses have strong claims - THE GUV having won in grade-one company and MARK MY WORD, though yet to win at that level, giving every indication that the sky's the limit.

However, MARK MY WORD strikes me as the better distance horse and, over this trip, gets my preference, especially with THE GUV having to allow him 3.0kg in accordance with the weight-for-age conditions governing the race. That, in the final analysis, should make the difference.

Real sharp

MARK MY WORD, who looked real sharp at exercise last Sunday morning, galloping six furlongs in a brisk 1:13.0, has the pace to race in touch of the leaders HOMBRE and HE'S REALLY OK before starting his winning run from the half-mile. The 3-y-o chestnut colt by Market Rally out of Miss Chestnut is a good mover and should get first run on THE GUV early in the straight and take this rich prize.

Elsewhere on the 'Superday' programme comprising 11 races, the Spencer Chung-trained filly SAINT CECELIA is poised to give five-time champion jockey Winston Griffiths his 1,600th career win in the $2 million Caribbean Sprint; while RONRON should rebound from her September 25 defeat to win the $1.5 million CTL Imported Mile and UNCLE KEN the 2-Y-O Juvenile Sprint.