Mark My Word 'noses' The Guv

Orville Clarke, Gleaner Writer

Riding as if his life depended on it, champion jockey Omar Walker conjured up a tremendous rally from 'Horse of the Year' MARK MY WORD to win the $1.1 million Bonnie Blue Flag Trophy - the grade one feature over 1820 metres - by a nose from old rival, THE GUV, at Caymanas Park yesterday.

Installed a 1-4 favourite in a field of five, MARK MY WORD, with Walker astride for the first time, attempted to make all, but in the end beat THE GUV (6-5) in a thrilling finish, which could have gone either way as they flashed past the winning in a head bob.

After turning for home some two lengths clear of THE GUV, who was sent in chase by in-form apprentice Richard Mairs approaching the half-mile, MARK MY WORD was caught and headed by THE GUV leaving the furlong pole. But the race was far from over at this stage, as MARK MY WORD showed good battling qualities.

fought back

Responding to a torrid left-hand stick from Walker, the 2010 Triple Crown and Superstakes winner fought back strongly on the inside to regain the lead from THE GUV in the very last stride.

Owned by Elite Bloodstock Limited and trained by Richard Azan, MARK MY WORD was notching his first win from two starts this season and his eighth from 13 career starts, for lifetime earnings of $13.8 million.

"I expected a tough race, but I'm happy with the outcome," said Azan.

"With this win under topweight of 57.0kg Mark My Word has shown me that he has a big heart and I am expecting him to make his mark in the distance races once again," said the noted big-race trainer.

A 4-y-o chestnut colt by Market Rally out of Miss Chestnut, MARK MY WORD was bred by the HAM Stables Limited.

The holiday meet, which was marked by three stunning upsets on the latter half of the programme, saw the 31-1 outsider ROMEZ storming through in the last furlong to win the hotly-contested Easter Sprint Cup overnight allowance race over 1100 metres, with apprentice Arthur Budhu riding for trainer Welsh Soutar and popular owner Sweety Man.

Other upsets were provided by the Carl Anderson-trained AWESOME WILDCAT (Trevor Simpson up) at 71-1 in the sixth race, for maiden three-year-olds; and Patrick Lynch's CARANZETTA (made all) at 54-1 under apprentice Richard Cole, in the very next race. Both won in driving finishes.