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Published:Saturday | January 29, 2011 | 12:00 AM
MARHABBA, running as the 8-5 favourite with Dick Cardenas aboard, romps the eighth race over 1100 metres (claiming $250,000 - $220,000) at Caymanas Park last Saturday. She is trained by Richard Azan. - Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer

Orville Clarke, Gleaner Writer

THE MESSENGER, having shown promise in three starts to date, is confidently expected to go one better when he takes on 10 opponents in the $715,000 Mercury Sprint for native-bred maiden three-year-old colts and geldings, over the straight five course at Caymanas Park today.

This, the second race in the 3-y-o campaign leading up to the season's first classic on April 2, should see THE MESSENGER going off a firm favourite following his eye-catching performance on January 1 when chasing home JET SETTER in a fast-run (1:06.4) 100-metre race.

Trained by Richard Azan, who is blessed with an abundance of riches in the three-year-old category this season, THE MESSENGER finished 4 1/4 lengths second to JET SETTER.

However, with the third horse, TREASURE GIRL, having paid tribute to the form with an impressive fast-time victory in last Saturday's Eight Thirty Sprint over the straight, this speaks volumes for the chances of THE MESSENGER, who has worked well over the straight course in preparation for this race.

A bay colt by Saint Appeal out of Sophisticated Mama, THE MESSENGER showed good speed behind JET SETTER, actually disputing the lead with the winner passing the half-mile and into the straight, where he graciously accepted second, three-parts of a length ahead of TREASURE GIRL.

Subsequent winner

Now better for this race, THE MESSENGER, with stable-jockey Dick Cardenas again in the saddle, is expected to set off in front and lead home the more experienced JELANI, who showed good speed behind MOHEGAN SON last Saturday and DESIGN STAR, who finished three lengths third over the course to subsequent SVL Jamaica 2-Y-O Stakes winner, CONEYISLANDINVADER, and another subsequent winner, HIGH PRIEST, on December 18.

The race has attracted five newcomers in AWESOME WILDCAT, RUN FOR THE MONEY, SPIRIT WAY, GOLD RUNNER and OUT FOR JUSTICE, but none seems forward enough at this stage to stop THE MESSENGER.

Strong fancy

Elsewhere on the well-supported card - the first leg of back-to-back meets which continues with tomorrow's Sunday programme - the Gary Subratie-trained 4-y-o gelding, G-FORC, is a strong fancy to win the sixth race (claiming $350,000-$300,000) over the straight five course.

The large field of 15 also includes the course specialist MARK TO MARKET, who steps down in class following his close second to THE BEST MAN over the course on January 15 and consistent FLAGAMAN. But G-FORCE is a better horse than both and, now thrown in for a tag, should resume winning ways from the convenient mark of 51.0kg.

I also like LESTERAE to win the third race, QUIET KNIGHT in the fourth, INVICTUS in the seventh and CLASSY PROSPECT in the ninth, the open allowance sprint.