The Patrick Lynch-trained THE BOMBER (Winston Griffiths up), winning the 2007 Digicel Jamaica Derby. - file

PATRICK 'Wacky' Lynch is, without doubt, one of the most feared trainers in the saddling ring at Caymanas Park on racedays.

First, he doesn't talk much nor is he seen a lot. In fact, railbirds refer to him as 'The Ghost' because of his elusive demeanour. However, they believe in him and back his horses blindly, even when they show little or no exercise report.

Therefore, expect JUSTIN ON FIRE and COLD GROUND to be quiet whispers in this Saturday's 10-furlong Lotto Classic for the Governor's Cup, although Noel Ennevor's HERMOSO AMIGO has been the ante-post favourite for more than a month.

Lynch, a former jockey who grew out of the saddle and turned to training, is renowned for turning around horses at the drop of a hat.

Take JUSTIN ON FIRE, for example, he started his first two races at Morris Powell's barn as a two-year-old and, in two starts as a three-year-old for Lynch, was seventh in the Prince Consort Stakes and second in the 2000 Guineas behind BIG MAN BOYU.

However, Lynch's coup de grace was the 2007 Jamaica Derby which he won with THE BOMBER, who had debuted only 28 days before, and won three races, culminating in the derby - under an expert ride from Winston Griffiths who stole the race down the backstretch.

Lynch's heroics go beyond 2007, not many know he was a silent hand behind FORCEFUL ATTACK's 1987 Jamaica Two-Year-Old stakes victory.

Lynch

Come Saturday, he is aiming to take out HERMOSO AMIGO. It doesn't matter which of his runners gets there, Lynch is coming to beat the favourite again.

"Based on what I've seen, he's a horse of class," Lynch said of the Lotto Classic, some say Derby, favourite from Noel Ennevor's barn.

"His conformation is very good and his staying power looks good. However, I believe this crop is not too far from each other. I respect him but my horses have outstanding chances," he pointed out.

Lynch is looking to JUSTIN ON FIRE to continue improving after his second place at a mile in the 2000 Guineas.

"He could turn out to be one of the top three-year-olds. His staying power is good enough but there are still some concerns. However, his bottom line is HERB EATER, a good stayer line. I'm working on his stamina, hoping he stays the distance.

a great chance

"He has been dealing with the work good so far. I don't have a problem. He seems to be going forward. The 10 furlongs, I'll watch to see how he deals with it. It's the first time I am sending him this journey but I give him a great chance."

COLD GROUND, however, should stay forever although he lacks the apparent combination of speed and stamina shown by HERMOSO AMIGO in two victories at 1820 metres.

After an unplaced debut, COLD GROUND finished fifth in the Prince Consort Stakes at 1400 metres. He followed up and impressed when stretched out to nine furlongs, second by a short head to AWESOME WILDCAT at nine furlongs before getting off the mark at 2000 metres.

"His time was not big but he was relishing the journey," Lynch noted. "That makes a whole lot of difference for horses in races like these. He has shown that he will stay. He is an improving horse. He hasn't reached his peak. On maturity, I'd give JUSTIN the upper hand at this moment, but it's close.

How he plans to beat HERMOSO AMIGO is another matter.

"Whenever you have a leader, the only way to shut him down is pressure him. When you run races like these, you run horses to win. I don't believe you should put horses in races to kill another horse. If you pace him, you can never tell what he'll do," he pointed out.

"It would be good to have somebody to go with him. I will try to see how I can match strides with him, that's my race plan, not to take him on to burn him out.

"I feel I have a strong shot at this race with these two, he added, naming Dane Nelson aboard JUSTIN ON FIRE and Paul Francis the jockey for COLD GROUND.