From left, RUM TALK, MUCHO GUSTO, IL CAIMANO and THE BOMBER. - File photos

Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer

Ten native bred three-year-olds are slated to contest the 87th running of the Digicel Jamaica Derby at Caymanas Park today for which the 2000 Guineas winner RUM TALK is a hot ante-post favourite.

Sponsored by Digicel for the third straight year, the Derby, with a purse of $4.25 million, has attracted 10 starters. In addition to the Philip Feanny-trained RUM TALK, the field includes the recent Lotto Classic (Governor's Cup) winner IL CAIMANO and his consistent stable companion MUCHO GUSTO, narrow loser of both the 2000 Guineas and Lotto Classic, as well as THE BOMBER, who is unbeaten in two starts. Indications are that the winner will come from this quartet.

Llightly raced

Unraced as a two-year-old, THE BOMBER, a lightly raced colt from the stables of Patrick Lynch, won his two races by wide margins, the first as recent as May 5 over 1500 metres by 12 lengths and again over 1820 metres on May 23, both under leading all-time classic winning jockey Winston Griffiths, who again has the ride. While THE BOMBER should prove competitive, his lack of experience could militate against him winning.

Trainer Anthony 'Baba' Nunes who posted TERREMOTO to win the 1998 Derby, holds a strong hand with the fancied pair of MUCHO GUSTO and IL CAIMANO, to be ridden by stable jockey Paul 'Country' Francis and Panamanian Ameth Robles respectively, both for leading owner, Barbados-based Elias Haloute.

When they last met in the Lotto Classic for the Governor's Cup on May 12, IL CAIMANO with Robles aboard produced a terrific stretch run to overhaul MUCHO GUSTO close to home, and given the additional 400 metres of the Derby, the odds favour IL CAIMANO who looks the more pronounced stayer.

This is not to say that MUCHO GUSTO is one to take lightly, as his genuine disposition and battling qualities could well win the day.

When all is said and done, the one to beat must surely be RUM TALK who humbled both MUCHO GUSTO and IL CAIMANO when they last met in the 2000 Guineas.

Outpaced for most of the way, RUM TALK produced a devastating stretch run on the outside to catch MUCHO GUSTO stealing home in the last 50 metres, recording his second win over his opponent beginning with the valuable Supreme Ventures 2-Y-O Stakes, also at a mile last Boxing Day.

A bay colt by Royal Minister out of Good As Gold, RUM TALK wisely bypassed the Lotto Classic in preparation for the Derby and has really looked the part at exercise coming into today's race.

He appears to have more class than his nine opponents at distances in excess of a mile, an yet to venture over two turns, unlike IL CAIMANO and MUCHO GUSTO who did so in the Lotto Classic, this will not deter him.

On Sunday morning RUM TALK looked fluent at exercise in a mile and quarter work, galloping the last seven in 1:35.2 easily and the last six in 1:19.3 very easily. Prior to that on May 21 he galloped six furlongs in 1:14.2, the last five in a brisk 1:00.3.

With his preparation complete and everything in his favour, RUM TALK looks all set to give five-time champion jockey Trevor Simpson his first Derby winner and Feanny his 11th.

Attractive

Elsewhere on the attractive 13-race programme which commences at 11:30 a.m., Feanny should also win the $1.3 million Digicel Irish Jamaican Stakes (grade one) over 1300 metres with his 2004 'Horse of the Year' DISTINCTLY IRISH, who won this very race in 2005 when lightly weighted.

Although set to give away lumps of weight to each of his eight opponents, DISTINCTLY IRISH, with Griffiths again in the saddle, should prove too strong for in-form MUSICAL MAESTRO and CALABASH BAY in the last200 metres.

I also like SIR KHAN in the first race, RIGGED TO WIN in the fourth, SIXTH SENSE in the fifth, MR. SKILL in the Digicel 2-y-o race and ROMEZ in the ninth.