Impressive Hombre takes Nunes Mem

Orville Clarke, Gleaner Writer

Last year's Superstakes winner HOMBRE turned in a scintillating performance at Caymanas Park yesterday to win the open allowance feature for the Nigel B. Nunes Memorial Trophy over 1820 metres for the second consecutive year.

Installed a 2-1 second choice with favourite rider Andre Martin on board for owner-breeder Wessel Burnett and trainer Noel Ennevor, HOMBRE won by three lengths from the recent Prime Minister's Stakes hero SHANGHAI PASS (6-1) under Panamanian jockey Ameth Robles with third going to the 8-5 favourite HEART OF GOLD, the mount of champion jockey Omar Walker.

A bold front-runner, HOMBRE was content to chase long-time leader MACHISMO (9-1) at close range in the nine-horse field before going through leaving the half mile. At this stage, SHANGHAI PASS raced prominently in third ahead of HEART OF GOLD.

Running like a well-oiled machine approaching the final bend, HOMBRE turned for home some three lengths clear of MACHISMO and HEART OF GOLD, then stayed on strongly to win unchallenged from topweight SHANGHAI PASS rallying in mid-stretch for second.

This was HOMBRE'S second consecutive win from five starts this season, having won his previous race over the distance on May 22 in a spectacular blanket finish from vastly improved THE GUV, subsequent Triple Crown winner MARK MY WORD and HEART OF GOLD.

Confident

Ennevor said he was quietly confident about the chances of his stable star, HOMBRE:

"We gave him a very good chance ... . He's the class horse, he won this race last year with a light impost and is a better horse this year.

"What's more, whenever Andre Martin rides him, he's a completely different horse and this was an early prep for the Superstakes," disclosed the veteran trainer

Meanwhile, the lightly raced TRADITIONAL PRINCE romped the day's secondary feature for the Rhoel Rhoden Memorial Cup over 110 metres for native bred maiden two-year-olds, this as the even-money favourite.

One of three winners on the card for this year's Triple Crown-winning jockey Dick Cardenas, TRADITIONAL PRINCE took over the lead from the outsider HIDEANDSEEK leaving the half mile and after turning for home just ahead of the debutante CONEYISLANDINVADER, moved away to beat him by nine lengths in a field of 10.

Owned and bred by Dr Granville Ashton, the robust bay colt by Traditional out of Princess Lal provided second generation trainer Robert Pearson with his first career win (at last) after obtaining his licence in 2007. Robert is the son of retired trainer Anthony Pearson.

Cardenas also won aboard even-money favourite KRYPTOGRAM and 4-1 chance ANGEL OF JOY, both for trainer Richard Azan, while leading all-time jockey Winston 'Fanna' Griffiths moved closer to the 1,600th mark following his arm-chair ride aboard 1-2 favourite SLIGOVILLE, his 1596th career win, in the fourth race over 1500 metres.

The Lee Clarke-owned and trained SPANISH TOWN at 12-1 provided he day's only upset in the second race over the straight.