Jimmie, STAR Writer

COMMANDING CHIEF ran his worst race in 13 starts last time out, finishing sixth as a 1-4 favourite behind REASONABLE PRESS, but must be given every chance to turn the tables on REASONABLE PRESS and GO GO YVONNE at a mile in tomorrow's Owen Silvera Cup.

The four-year-old's connections have seemingly reached their wit's end with Paul Francis, again ditching the rider, as was done for the Gold Cup and Harry Jackson Memorial last year, before he was brought back for the gelding's 2012 campaign in May.

Last time out, COMMANDING CHIEF walked out with Francis and never looked likely to get into the pace down the backstretch with splits of 22.4, 46.0 and 1:11.0 being ripped upfront.

He turned for home next to last in the eight-horse field, a hopeless position against allowance runners, and did well enough to finish seven and a quarter lengths behind REASONABLE PRESS and GO GO YVONNE, respectively.

Preparing for that race, COMMANDING CHIEF had worked brilliantly, 1:26.2 for seven furlongs. However, he failed to fire on raceday, with the visor fitted, after sparkling at exercise in the equipment.

Though he is no stranger to the visor, having worn it on his seasonal debut and slamming GO GO YVONNE by six and a quarter lengths on May 19, COMMANDING CHIEF could have been caught napping in post-position one and might not have enjoyed racing in the equipment coming from behind.

He never looked himself and must be given the benefit of the doubt, considering he had totally outclassed GO GO YVONNE back in May.

Prior to losing badly, COMMANDING CHIEF had chased home nine other than MISMYRTLEBOYRICHIE, sitting level at 57.0 kilos, as the champion imported horse won by six lengths and clocked 1:37.2 for a mile.

EMPEROR HALL, who also carried 57.0 kilos in that race, was a length and a half third behind COMMANDING CHIEF and returned, on 16lb lighter terms, to beat MISMYRTLEBOYRICHIE at 2000 metres in the Prime Minister's Stakes on Independence Day.

With EMPEROR HALL beating MISMYRTLEBOYRICHIE by a length, it shows exactly where COMMANDING CHIEF is rated - Grade One, above the open allowance field he faces tomorrow.

Francis might have been hard done this time around but his loss is now Dick Cardenas' gain a hazard of the job.

Cardenas' hallmark is patience and a strong stretch rally. It will be interesting to see his tactics tomorrow, especially for connections who have constantly felt they have been on the bad end of jockeys' judgements.

There's no need to rush a mile so Cardenas' best call is to sit just off then cripple the field leaving the three pole with COMMANDING CHIEF's undeniable class.