COMMANDING Chief, who flopped in a Grade Two event over 1,300 metres in his last start, returns to Open Allowance company and heads a field of 11 in the $786,500 Owen Silvera Memorial Cup at Caymanas Park today. The eighth race on the card of nine, the Owen Silvera 1,600 metres feature, among three-year-olds and upward, is scheduled to go off at 4:50 pm with first post at 1:10 pm.

The most precocious son of War Marshall to date, Commanding Chief is one of two senior Grade One performers in the field along with Raise A Ruckus and with the journey increased has more than an even chance of making amends for his aberration on last.

The race before his last was run over today’s distance and Commanding Chief finished six lengths second to the brilliant American imported colt Mismyrtleboyrichie in a fast run time of 1:38.3. Both Commanding Chief and Mismyrtleboyrichie carried 57.0kg, with the American colt winning in a time of 1:37.2.

On this occasion with nothing quite as fierce as Mismyrtleboyrichie present, Commanding Chief will look to rebound despite facing the two Americans, Reasonable Press and Go Go Yvonne, who had him behind in a Grade Two race Seek Exercise Book Trophy race on last going 1,300 metres and Raise A Ruckus, whom he had behind in the Mismyrtleboyrichie’s race.

He has done less speed work for the longer trip at exercise and with the pace expected to be less frenetic, could register his third win for the season from five starts.

Commanding Chief, a four-year-old chestnut gelding by War Marshall out of She Knows Beau (Beau Genius) bred by Paul Chen is prepared by trainer Everal Francis for owners Doks Stables. Champion jockey Dick Cardenas has been called in to partner Commanding Chief. This is in place of customary jockey Paul Francis who will now ride Go Go Yvonne, a four-year-old bay filly who is weighted to again attempt to rival Commanding Chief, who was slowly into stride, when they last met on August 25. Reasonable Press is another who is also weighted to go close. The Mass Media colt was slated to carry 56.0kg, but will benefit from the 4.0kg claim of the apprentice Orlando Foster to come in at 52.0kg.

However, the one who looks a real danger to a Commanding Chief victory is Jet Setter. This very consistent son of Region Of Merit trained by champion Wayne DaCosta has won only two races from his 11 starts this season. Has twice attempted 1,600 metres this season without much luck, but his running style is ideally suited to the pace shape of this particular race and from an all out effort could go close.

ONES TO WATCH

Race 1 Cause For Concern (Dane Nelson)

Race 2 Justine On Fire (Shane Ellis)

Race 3 Saragossa (Andre Martin)

Race 4 Sandbath (Ameth Robles)

Race 5 El Poderoso (Winston Griffiths)

Race 6 Special Report (Shane Ellis)

Race 7 Money Honey (Shane Ellis)

Race 8 Commanding Chief (Dick Cardenas)

Race 9 I Am Thankful (Holando Butler)