Tue | Jul 28, 2026

Ride with Hombre

Published:Saturday | October 1, 2011 | 12:00 AM
THE VALIDICTORIAN (centre) is driven out by Dick Cardenas to register a narrow win over OVATION (right), the mount of Winston Griffiths, and PRINCE OF ARABIA (Arthur Budhu), in the four-year-old and up event over 1600 metres for non-winners of four, at Caymanas Park on Wednesday. - Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer

Orville Clarke, Gleaner Writer

The 2009 Superstakes winner, HOMBRE, heads a 13-strong field to contest the Jockey Club Stakes overnight allowance feature over 1400 metres at Caymanas Park today.

The race, confined to three-year-olds and up, has attracted 13 starters. In addition to HOMBRE, the mount of female apprentice Georgina Sergeon, others such as OASIS under leading jockey Dick Cardenas, as well as VONALIMIGHTY and THE GUARDIAN with title-chasing jockey Omar Walker and Shane Ellis, respectively, should ensure a competitive race.

The Noel Ennevor-trained HOMBRE was a beaten favourite behind the progressive American colt MIKENIFICENT over 2000 metres on September 17, weakening in mid-stretch to finish 16 lengths seventh after turning for home the leader.

That performance prompted many to ask if something had gone amiss with HOMBRE, but the fact that he returns with Lasix suggests that he bled internally that day. He was scoped and the medication administered for this race.

Also going for HOMBRE is the fact that he has never run this light (53.0kg) in ages and has secured a favourable draw on the outside of the field as well.

Good racing form

HOMBRE reports in good nick for this race and despite the sound claims of OASIS, UNDAUNTED, down-in-class VONALMIGHTY, and stable companions THE GUARDIAN and THE GUMMER - both prepared by champion trainer Wayne DaCosta - the six-year-old son of Pat N Jac will not go down easily, given these favourable conditions.

OASIS, a lightly raced sort who has been thereabouts in recent races, looks the ideal Exacta horse with only 50.0kg.

The five-year-old gelding from the stables of Norman Palmer caught the eye when finishing 31/4 lengths fourth (running on) to FLUFFY over 1200 metres when last raced on August 31, and prior to that finished a close fifth to SARAGOSSA in the G.A. 'Sarge' Bucknor Memorial Cup over the straight on July 30.

OASIS gets the ideal trip on this occasion and should ensure that my selection, HOMBRE, is extended.

HOMBRE should race in close touch of the expected leaders RIVER STYX and TRIAL LAWYER before starting his winning run at the halfway stage.

Other firm fancies on the card are down in class SPACE FURY in the second race, OUT FOR JUSTICE in the fourth, the two-year-old EXOTIC GOLD in the fifth, SANKOFA in the sixth, CRUISER in the seventh and THE RUNNING MAN to stave off LITTLE CHUPS in the ninth.

Ellis, who rode two winners on Wednesday, has secured nine mostly live rides on the 11-race programme and the 2000 champion should have a fruitful day in the saddle.