Shane Ellis ... will ride RONRON. Right: Gary Subratie ... she won't be coming to play around this time. - file

Despite a setback in her preparation, trainer Gary Subratie believes that his crack American filly RONRON can atone for her September 25 defeat to Superstakes contender THE GUV by winning the $1.5 million CTL Imported Mile (grade one) over a similar trip at Caymanas Park on 'Superday', Saturday November 13.

After finishing second to THE GUV in the L.R. "Bob' Mayall Memorial Trophy grade one race seven weeks ago, RONRON suffered a mysterious injury to her right eye which required stitching to save the eye, as the eyeball was pieced.

Subratie explains: "We just woke up one morning and noticed the injury. We don't know how she got it, but it was serious.

indifferent ride

"As a consequence, she will run in a new equipment on Saturday ... a one-cup goggles in order to protect the eye. She has been working well in preparation for the race and should prove hard to beat if you take into consideration that fast-run one-mile race in which she finished second to THE GUV under an indifferent ride.

"My only concern is whether the injury will affect her psychologically. "Despite this, she won't be coming to play around this time," said Subratie.

The second generation trainer further disclosed that former champion jockey Shane Ellis will ride RONRON, who has won five of her last six races in the blue and gold silks of popular owner Kenval Wallace.

When the weights for the grade one race for imported horses were released last Friday, the October 16, None Such Sprint Trophy winner HONEYOFALADY was allotted topweight of 60.5kg on the list of 10 horses nominated, closely followed by RONRON (59.5kg) and stable-companion SHANGHAI PASS (58.5kg), to be ridden by Trevor Simpson.

Although Subratie is of the opinion that the Handicapping Com-mittee has "come down a bit hard" on RONRON by giving her a kilo or two more than she deserves, particularly in relation to horses such as BELOW THE WAIST and RAISE A RUCKUS, both of whom have been allotted 48.0kg, she will be tough.

Outside of the three 'heavy' horses, completing the field are the Anthony Nunes-trained hat-trick seeker BELOW THE WAIST (51.0kg), NEW KINGSTON (50.5kg), hat-trick seeker RAISE A RUCKUS (48.0kg) from the in-form stables of 14-time champion Philip Feanny, as well as SKITTLE QUEEN (48.0kg), LITTLE WASP (48.0kg), QUICK & GRAY (48.0kg) and the 2008 winner ENGLISH STORM (48.0kg).

Subratie recalls that although RONRON was beaten squarely by top Superstakes contender THE GUV, jockey Paul 'Country' Francis rode "her into the ground against my instructions", he insisted.

The trainer believes that 'Canter Man' Ellis should make a difference, as he's a more patient rider.