Ennevor's two-pronged Derby attack

Orville Clarke, Gleaner Writer

Veteran trainer Noel Ennevor has never won the Derby in his over 40 years in the profession.

But come Saturday at Caymanas Park, he'll be relying on not one, but two horses to impact the 91st running of the premier classic over 2400 metres for native-bred three-year-olds, sponsored by Cal's Manufacturing for the first time.

Ennevor will saddle his unlucky Oaks loser RIGHT MARKER and beaten Lotto Classic (Governor's Cup) favourite HERMOSO AMIGO, to be ridden by Paul 'Country' Francis and André Martin respectively for the stable's two leading patrons, Donald Williams and Wessel Burnett respectively.

The improving filly RIGHT MARKER is owned by Williams, who teamed up with Ennevor in 2006 to win both the Lotto Classic and St Leger with ALLIEDFORCE. And the lightly raced colt HERMOSO AMIGO is owned and bred by Burnett, for whom Ennevor won the 2009 Superstakes with HOMBRE, a half brother to HERMOSO AMIGO.

Ennevor was disappointed with the performance of 4-5 favourite HERMOSO AMIGO in the May 21 Lotto Classic won by another leading Derby contender, Richard Azan's ERASMO, but disclosed that his charge had no luck in running that day.

"He suffered interference approaching the half mile and was never going well after that, eventually finishing last," recalled the trainer.

"All that is behind him now and we're hoping he can rebound in a big way on Saturday," said Ennevor of HERMOSO AMIGO.

"He has pleased in his preparation and although facing a stiff test on Saturday, I believe he has the potential to win.

"Being a half brother to Superstakes winner HOMBRE, he should have no problem with the distance. He also has lots of scope ... the Lotto Classic was only his fourth race and he has already won twice going two turns.

"RIGHT MARKER, on the other hand, is improving by leaps and bounds," said Ennevor.

"She was woefully unlucky not to have won the Oaks, having been caught on the wire by CARIDAD after bumping into the rails in the last furlong. Having worked well, I think she has a chance to redeem herself in the Derby," he explained.

"I was really impressed by her last win over 8 1/2 furlongs and this was achieved in a good time. She's a nice filly who, like 'Amigo', has tremendous scope and while history has shown that only exceptional fillies have won the Derby over the years (Thornbird, Hellopoochieloo, Poorlittlerichgirl, Restless Babe, Simply Magic), I don't think she can be under-estimated," said the quiet, soft-spoken trainer.

The field for the Cal's Jamaica Derby includes the 2000 Guineas winner and hot ante-post favourite BIG MAN BOYU, to be ridden by Trinidad & Tobago's leading jockey Noel Abrego for trainer Gary Subratie; Oaks winner CARIDAD (Allen Maragh up), ERASMO (Omar Walker) and COLD GROUND (Dane Nelson), respective winner and runner-up of the Lotto Classic, as well as JET SETTER, TECHNOMOTO and of course, RIGHT MARKER and HERMOSO AMIGO.