MITAKA, ridden by apprentice Carlton Malcolm, sprints clear of SEA CRACKERS with JasonSimpson to win Saturday's 1500-metre eighth race for the Joshua Morrison Memorial Cup, at Caymanas Park. - Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer

Ainsley Walters, Freelance Writer

THE shuffling of riders for the July 7 Jamaica St. Leger took a predictable turn yesterday with trainer Anthony Nunes confirming defending champion jockey Brian Harding aboard MUCHO GUSTO and Trevor Simpson as IL CAIMANO's rider in a bid to topple Derby winner THE BOMBER.

Harding, a Trinidadian, who won back-to-back titles at Caymanas Park before returning home at the start of this season, replaces Paul 'Country' Francis aboard MUCHO GUSTO, who placed third in the June 2 Jamaica Derby.

Simpson, who had partnered Derby runner-up RUM TALK in all his five outings but was decked by the gelding's connections following his loss to THE BOMBER, has been snapped up by Nunes to partner IL CAIMANO.

Nunes' IL CAIMANO, ridden then by Panamanian Ameth Robles, was the upset winner of the May 12 Lotto Classic for the Governor's Cup, upstaging stable-mate MUCHO GUSTO. Both horses are owned by Barbadian Elias Haloute.

Nunes yesterday said the change of riders had nothing to do with either jockeys' handling of MUCHO GUSTO and IL CAIMANO, but rather experience.

"It's the last leg of the Triple Crown and we're searching for success," he said.

More experienced rider

"I am not changing my mind to say I had a problem with the MUCHO GUSTO ride. Brian knows him from he was a two-year-old and he is a more experienced rider.

"Simpson is available and with him off RUM TALK, he replaces Robles who is not a man that comes to work regularly," Nunes explained, pointing out that IL CAIMANO could be a dangerous contender. "He stays the trip and with a more honest pace it will be good for him but the same can be said of RUM TALK."

Nunes insisted there'll be no game plan to stop THE BOMBER, who won romped the Derby on his third outing, ridden by Winston Griffiths.

"It's even worse with Brianas the rider," he said. "I am not big on instructions. We will discuss the horse and work towards his strength when we look at the field.

"It will be to Brian when that gate opens but I doubt there'll be a 1:18.0 split for six furlongs," Nunes added, alluding to what pundits say was a ridiculous Derby split with THE BOMBER enjoying a near 10-length lead.

He admitted Francis was not pleased with the decision to call in Harding: "Any rider you take off a classic horse must feel a way," he said but dismissed suggestions that the Jamaican's contract was in danger of being terminated.

"The Nunes barn is not pleased with the talent level of the horses," he pointed out. "The talent level is not good in relation to older horses. LA REINA is in her final year, so too ALPHA LUPA and PITTACUS is old," he added. "We're in a transition period. We have a gap between what was good and what's coming, the two-year-olds."

Nunes eagerly awaits the St. Leger: "I'm really looking forward to this race. "There are four nice riders and horses. At the end of the St. Leger, there will be no excuse once everybody gets a clean trip.