Topweight will not stop The Guv

Orville Clarke, Gleaner Racing Writer

THE GUV, now dropped in class, should score an overdue victory at Caymanas Park today in the 3-y-o and up open allowance race over 1500 metres to be contested by seven starters. This, and the annual renewal of the Valbert Marlowe Memorial Trophy over 1800 metres for four-year-olds and up (non-winners of three other than) are the co-features on the 11-race programme, which was doubtful up to Wednesday.

As things turned out, the likelihood of a shutdown was averted on Wednesday afternoon following a meeting between Finance Minister Audley Shaw and the stakeholders at the Ministry of Finance, Heroes Circle.

Trained by Spencer Chung, THE GUV, a stretch-running 5-y-o grey horse by Royal Minister out of Havasac, has been running some decent races among the top horses in grade-one company this season and seems poised to win his first race since September, despite a topweight of 57.0kg.

When last raced on May 21 in the valuable Lotto Sprint Trophy over 1100 metres, THE GUV stayed on well to finish only three lengths fifth to top-rated RONRON in what was a fast-run race. And prior to that on April 25, he failed by a short head to beat reigning 'Horse of the Year' MARK MY WORD in the Bonnie Blue Flag Trophy grade-one race over 1820 metres.

Another eye-catching performance from THE GUV came on April 9 when finishing a length third to champion sprinter SAINT CECELIA in the Lady Geeta Trophy over 1200 metres, not to mention his good second to RONRON in the Eros Trophy over 1400 metres on March 12.

Significantly, THE GUV notched his last win at this level in September of last year, capturing the L.R. 'Bob' Mayall Memorial Cup over a mile at the expense of RONRON.

Having worked well in preparation for this race, galloping five furlongs in a brisk 1:00.3 at exercise last Sunday morning, THE GUV will not be easily denied, even though asked to give weight all around to some pretty good horses.

Title-chasing jockey

He should prove equal to the task over what is the ideal trip for him and although horses such as RAISE A RUCKUS, BURST OF ENERGY, PRICELESS BEAUTY and FLUFFY (all winners in recent months) will have their supporters, the proven class of THE GUV should see him through.

Leading jockey Shane Ellis has the ride.

I also like the Anthony Nunes-trained SILENT IMAGE under title-chasing jockey Dick Cardenas to catch PRINCE OF ARABIA and WAIT AWHILE in the Valbert Marlowe Memorial Cup; SIR JAADU BABA in the first race, GEYSER SPRING in the fourth, WAGON WHEEL to catch SECRET WEAPON in the sixth and the bold front-runner LITTLE WASP (working exceptionally well) to stave off stable companions BELOW THE WAIST and PRINCE ROHAN in the overnight-allowance race over 1700 metres.