RUM TALK, with Trevor Simpson aboard against the rails, beating MUCHO GUSTO (N0. 5), with Brian Harding aboard, by a short head to win the 1600 metres Supreme Ventures Jamaica 2-y-o Stakes last Boxing Day. Both are top contenders for today's 2000 Guineas. - File

Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer

The season's first classics, the 1000 and 2000 Guineas, are on at Caymanas Park today, both attracting maximum fields of 16.

Eight licensed bookmakers have joined forces to sponsor the 1600-metre races for the first time, each offering $2.5 million in purse money.

The 1000 Guineas is for native bred three-year-old fillies and the 2000 Guineas confined to colts and geldings.

A notable absentee from the 1000 Guineas line-up is ante-post favourite and March 17 Thornbird Trial Stakes winner GLITTER CLEARANCE, who has been sidelined by a leg injury sustained at exercise a week ago.

As a result the race has lost much of its glitter, so to speak, and now looks a wide open affair.

In the absence of GLITTER CLEARANCE, the Percy Hussey-trained FIRST PRINCESS, who was runner-up to her in the trial, has assumed the market leader position with 'Hall of Fame' jockey Charles Hussey down to ride for his mom, Ruth.

There should be good support for the Gary Subratie-trained RIO INFINITO, who was third in the trial, as well as stable-companion XPRESS CARD, Wayne DaCosta's maiden filly RIGGED TO WIN (working well now) along with the Barry Dawes-trained GRACE MARIE who bled profusely in the recent trial and was relegated to fourth after entering the last furlong a two-length leader.

After weighing the pros and cons, the one best equipped to win is the powerfully-built FIRST PRINCESS, who came from a seemingly hopeless position at the rear of the field (after missing the break) in the Thornbird Stakes to finish second on a sloppy surface.

"I am encouraged by the run," said trainer Hussey after the trial. "The farther she goes the better."

Having secured a good draw at post position 15, FIRST PRINCESS, with the blinkers now fitted, is tipped to go one better.

Top contenders

Top contenders in the 2000 Guineas are MUCHO GUSTO who won the March 17 Prince Consort Trial Stakes, NATURALLY ROYAL who was a fast-finishing second in that race, RUM TALK the champion two-year-old of last season, as well as IL CAIMANO and IVAN THE TERRIBLE.

The one to beat must surely be MUCHO GUSTO (working exceptionally well), to be ridden by in-form Paul 'Country' Francis for trainer Anthony 'Baba' Nunes and Barbadian owner Elias Haloute.

After failing by a nose to hold the fast-finishing RUM TALK at bay in the Supreme Ventures Jamaica 2-Y-O Stakes over the distance last Boxing Day, MUCHO GUSTO came back to win the Prince Consort in decisive fashion, despite Francis' losing his whip from early in the straight.

The bay gelding by Law Of The Sea out of Sweet Desire continues to move impressively at exercise and should use his strong early pace to best advantage and win from old rivals RUM TALK, under Trevor Simpson, and NATURALLY ROYAL, with Hussey up.

Other firm fancies on the card, on a day when each of the eight licensed bookmakers have sponsored a race are PURE JUSTICE to rebound in the third for the Caribbean Turf Betting Trophy, SPECIAL K to stave off stable-companion NUFF RESPECT in the fourth for the Champion Betting Trophy, MITAKA in the fifth for the Track Price Plus Trophy, YOSI in the sixth, this for the Post-to-Post Betting Trophy and FREE LANCE in the closing race for the Ideal Betting Trophy.