Harding here

to partner

Mucho Gusto

PORTMORE

Trinidadian riding ace Brian Harding has arrived in the island to partner the three-year-old gelding Mucho Gusto in the rich Jamaica St Leger Classic horse race at Caymanas Park today.

The consistent Mucho Gusto placed third in last month's Jamaica Derby and his con-nections have now sought the services of the successful Harding for the Jam$2.75 million (US$40,095) St Leger.

Mucho Gusto, trained by Anthony Nunes for Barbados-based owner Elias Haloute, is showing at 3-1 in the forecast odds in the competitive six-horse field going 10 furlongs.

Along with two wins in his last six starts, Mucho Gusto has been second three times and third once to be one of the most consistent runners in local racing.

Undefeated Derby winner The Bomber, with Winston Griffiths astride, is an 8-5 favourite and is taking aim at a fourth win from four starts.

The other top fancied entries are Derby runner-up Rum Talk (5-2) with veteran jockey Charles Hussey up, and the 9-2 bet Il Caimano, a second entry for the Nunes/Haloute combination, with Trevor Simpson up.

Harding, who won back-to-back Jamaica jockeys' titles in 2005 and 2006 before returning home to Trinidad and Tobago's Santa Rosa Park for the 2007 season, flew into the island Thursday.

Leader in the current T&T season with 36 victories, 11 ahead of Venezuelan Wilmer Galviz (25), Harding will mount seven horses on today's 12-race card at Caymanas Park.