Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer
Buster Jack (front left), running at odds of 3-1 with champion jockey Trevor Simpson aboard, runs past the front-running favourite, Olympic Star (Peter Bryan), in the eighth race over 1200 metres for maiden three-year-olds at Caymanas Park on Saturday to complete a double for Simpson on the 11-race programme. - RICARDO MAKYN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
SIXTEEN HORSES have been entered for the 65th running of the $2 million Lotto Classic for the Governor's Cup at Caymanas Park on Saturday, including the April 2, 2000 Guineas winner COLTRANE and the runner-up MIRACLE MAN.
However, four-time champion jockey Charles Hussey confirmed yesterday that COLTRANE with whom he won the Guineas, along with his fleet-footed stable-companion KAMIR, will not be starting.
"I am down to ride the other Azan-trained horse ROYAL COMMAND, who was third in the 2000 Guineas," said Hussey.
He also confirmed that he will be aboard last year's winner LIL' COUNTRY BOY in the Lotto Sprint Trophy where old rival A KING IS BORN, who worked exceptionally well Friday morning, is slated to be ridden by Winston Griffiths.
SUPREME VENTURES GOES EXTRA MILE
This marks the second major sponsored race day this season, as sponsors Supreme Ventures Limited has gone the extra mile to stage a memorable day of racing.
In addition to the Lotto Classic, Supreme Ventures Limited will also sponsor the million-dollar graded stakes for the Lotto Sprint Trophy over 1100 metres for which 10 entries have been received, the $650,000 Lotto Dash Trophy for maiden two-year-olds over 600 metres straight, the $415,000 Lotto Challenge Trophy claiming $330,000-$290,000 for three-year-olds and up over 1400 metres and the $365,000 Lotto Championship Trophy over 1100 metres for horses in the lowest claiming group $150,000.
The 11-race programme will also facilitate the War Zone three-year-old Sprint Trophy for native breds over 1100 metres.
With COLTRANE and KAMIR out, hot favourite for the Governor's Cup is the Billy Williams-trained MIRACLE MAN, who went down fighting in the Guineas.
MIRACLE MAN will be ridden by either Griffiths or Allen Maragh, who is recuperating from an ankle injury, which has sidelined him for the past six weeks.
