Nunes keeps them guessing

Jimmie, STAR Racing Writer

ALACRANN, Anthony Nunes' Jamaica Two-Year-Old Stakes winner, was yesterday listed among 14 runners declared for Saturday's Lotto Classic Governor's Cup, despite doubts surrounding his participation in the 2000-metre event.

Nunes had last week declared ALACRANN all but out of the $3m Lotto Classic Governor's Cup, a major prep race for June's Jamaica Derby, saying his runner was instead pointed at an 1820-metre event the same day.

"ALACRANN has had some issues we've been dealing with from Boxing Day. I didn't want to run him going 10 furlongs in a prep for the Derby. I want him to get to the Derby a hundred per cent healthy, fit and sound," Nunes declared then.

However, after ALACRANN was listed among six of Nunes' Lotto Classic entries, the trainer sought to explain the move.

"All I have done is given myself an option," he said, leaving pundits guessing which horse will head the weights when the final programme is released on Thursday.

topweight

With 2000 Guineas winner ALI BABA out of the race, ALACRANN, having won last year's Pick-3 Super Challenge and Jamaica Two-Year-Old Stakes, would carry topweight 57.0 kilos.

However, should Nunes withdraw the chestnut colt, his stablemate, SIEMPRE BUENO, March's Prince Consort Stakes winner, would move from 56.0 to 57.0.

ALACRANN emerged last year's champion two-year-old after winning the last two legs of the Supreme Ventures Limited Two-Year-Old Series, beating ALI BABA by three and a quarter lengths in the Jamaica Two-Year-Old Stakes on Boxing Day.

ALI BABA turned the tables in April's 2000 Guineas, relegating late- closing ALACRANN to third as trainer Wayne DaCosta completed the exacta with SEEKING MY DREAM.

Nunes, it appears, is caught between the Governor's Cup and Derby as SEEKING MY DREAM has twice beaten SIEMPRE BUENO whose stamina is suspect at 10 furlongs.