Jimmie, Star Racing Writer

MEDICAL REPORT (right) with Paul Francis up getting the better of MUCHO GUSTO and former champion jockey, Trinidadian Brian Harding, in a thrilling finish to the 1000 metres straight Reggae Trophy event at Caymanas Park on Saturday. The Noel Ennevor-trained seven-year-old gelding won by a head in 58.1 seconds. MORE RACING NEWS ON PAGE 29. - Ian Allen Photo

NOEL Ennevor's HOMBRE, out for the first time since beating Trinidad and Tobago Derby winner PRIDE N' GLORY by eight lengths on June 21, has worked well for his return and is tipped to get the better of Philip Feanny's American debutant, SOMAX, in tomorrow afternoon's eighth event.

HOMBRE was among the horses being touted for classic success this season but was sparingly raced and failed to make any of the big three-year-old races this summer.

However, he did show enough in three starts to confirm his class, including second to Derby and St Leger runner-up ROYAL IMAGE in a fast-run 1200-metre race.

His worst run in five starts, a dismal eighth place finish as an 8-5 favourite behind BALLROOM DANCER, after finishing second to ROYAL IMAGE, can be thrown out the window as he walked out the gate that afternoon and had no chance thereafter.

HOMBRE has been working sweetly off his three-month lay-up, galloping five furlongs on the round course in 1:01.3 last Friday, suggesting he's in tip-top shape.

Feanny's debutant, a three-year-old filly, who shares the same sire, PROUD CITIZEN, as CTL Imported Stakes winner, GOOD CITIZEN, looks to be a good sort and also sparkled last Friday, galloping 1:00.4 out of the nine-furlong chute from the gate.

However, her previous workouts weren't as sparkling, suggesting the long backstretch, with no bends to negotiate, could have been the reason behind her fast time.

Feanny has two other runners in the event - I'M MAGIC and THE QUEEN. Both are decent runners but face their own problems at the distance.

I'M MAGIC is suspect at the distance whereas THE QUEEN prefers a milder pace and should not outfinish the colt, HOMBRE, in a stretch duel.

Elsewhere on the nine-race card, speed should determine the first three races as GUAN YU, YOSHI and CHOSEN ONE are expected to go gate to wire at their respective distances.

Feanny's two-year-old, GUAN YU, was slowly into stride when he lost in a driving finish to Wayne DaCosta's REGGAE PRINCESS and return winner MY SPACE at 1100 metres on September 3.

RULING ANGEL's offspring take a little time to come on and GUAN YU should have learnt enough on debut to get it right this time around at 1200 metres with Richard Azan's CLASSIC BEAU being his only threat if he puts a foot wrong.

YOSHI looked good enough when spreadeagling rivals at 1000 metres straight on September 3 to go all the way on a slightly higher claiming tag in the second at 1000 metres straight.

CHOSEN ONE looks a bit tricky at a mile but he's no stranger to the distance and went as far as 1500 metres on May 7, losing in a driving finish to DIAMOND EXPRESS and LATIN KING.

If rated kindly on the lead, or just off, before making his move leaving the three pole, CHOSEN ONE won't be caught by his out-of-form rivals.

Take SIR MOHANDAS BABA to wear down rivals in the fourth for the Monica Todd Memorial at 2000 metres and Percy Hussey's BORN TO DANCE to make all in the seventh at 1000 metres straight.