Jimmie, Star Racing Writer

MARK MY WORD has it all to do in tomorrow's Governor General's Stakes. The defending two-time Superstakes winner and 2003 Horse of the Year has only raced once this year, way back in March.

In addition, the champion stayer hasn't sparkled at exercise and returns off a near seven-month lay-up facing COMMANDING CHIEF, who has won three of five starts this season and has raced every month since May.

Still, Richard Azan's champion chestnut, on stamina, remains the best local bred in training and can again stick it to COMMANDING CHIEF whom he disciplined in three meetings last year - the Rum Fire Invitational, Superstakes and the Harry Jackson Memorial.

Make no mistake, this is no Superstakes warm-up for MARK MY WORD. Azan has shrewdly called in a four-kilo claiming apprentice, Jemar Jackson, to partner the five-year-old who will run with 53.0, two kilos more than COMMANDING CHIEF.

Whereas Jackson is yet to ride a winner from 22 tries, COMMANDING CHIEF will have expert handling with champion jockey Dick Cardenas aboard.

Cardenas partnered the four-year-old gelding, last year's St Leger winner, on September 8 and guided him to a strong 1:38.3 for a mile, beating United States-bred RAISE A RUCKUS by two and a quarter lengths.

Contrasting fashion

Both horses have been trained in contrasting fashion, which could very well determine the outcome.

Whereas Azan has drilled MARK MY WORD every week since September 14, all bullet gallops, trainer Everald Francis hasn't asked too much of COMMANDING CHIEF since his September 8 victory.

Having been accused of overworking the gelding for what turned out to be a disappointing sixth-place finish behind REASONABLE PRESS and GO GO YVONNE on August 25, Francis has eased off the throttle for the much-anticipated rematch with MARK MY WORD.

With all COMMANDING CHIEF has in his favour, holding back at exercise could very well be his Achilles heel. MARK MY WORD might not have raced since March but has looked fitter each week on the exercise track.

Real test

The real test will be after the first mile when stamina comes into play. Having just one gallop under his girth since his September 8 victory, with a 1:59.0 for nine furlongs last week Monday morning, COMMANDING CHIEF could find MARK MY WORD too tough up the lane.

Azan's runner will be coming to run his usual brash race, COMMANDING CHIEF will have to press and outstay him up the lane, which he has failed to do in three meetings.