MANY a fallen campaigner in the Jamaica 2,000 Guineas will renew their rivalry in the Lotto Classic for the Governor’s Cup today at Caymanas Park as they prep for the most prestigious native-bred three-year-old Classic race of the year, the Jamaica Derby set for June 15.

The Lotto Classic is the highlight of a tough-looking 11-race card which has attracted a full field of 16 going 2,000 metres that is set to bring the curtains down on the local programme at approximately 5:40 pm, with first post at 12:15 pm.

Missing from the line-up are winners of the earlier run native-bred three-year-old Classics. They are Willie Goldsmith, winner of the Jamaica 2,000 Guineas, Selectabook, winner of the Jamaica 1,000 Guineas, and Lady Abhijita, winner of the Jamaica Oaks.

Among today’s field are 2,000 Guineas runner-up Perfect Neighbour, third-placed finisher Bigman In Town, fourth-placed finisher Crucial Appeal, fifth-placed finisher Rum Punch and sixth-placed finisher Hover Craft.

Among the fallen in the 2,000 Guineas who should be waxing warm to make amends is the Gary Subratie-trained Bigman In Town.

Owned by Baskaran Bassawh, the chestnut son of Cowtown Cat out of My Morning Prayer (Buddha) and bred at Ham Stables missed a glorious chance to exhale in the 2,000 Guineas, after being locked in struggle against the rails with Crucial Appeal from which he was unable to extricate himself.

From the number 13 barrier, he is now positioned to look at the field go and the four-time champion jockey Omar Walker can plan his move to stay wide of traffic problems. There is little doubt that he will get 2,000 metres and beyond and with only a feather to tote, he should be a real threat at the business end.

Perfect Neighbour, who has not yet demonstrated any noticeable signs of stamina limitations, will come in at 56.0kg, some 3.5kg heavier than Bigman In Town, but looks a genuine sort and will not be far away at the end, as he will be putting in his best work in the final rush for the wire.

Crucial Appeal, who carried the 2,000 Guineas field to the final 200 metres, will be much lighter for today’s event and should take full advantage of the light weight with Andrew Ramgeet replacing Winston Griffiths. The fact that the services of the three-time champion jockey with over 1,000 winners on the North American circuit was sought by trainer Patrick Lynch could spell disaster for the top-weighted runners as this chestnut gelding by Crucial Trial out of Late Appeal (Appealing Guy) will not be bothered by the distance. He has been nicely refreshed from his arduous task in the Guineas and could prove that more competitive to go all the way.

Leading trainer Wayne DaCosta will field a complement of four runners — Perfect Neighbour, who will be ridden by Dane Nelson, Rum Punch, to be ridden by Dick Cardenas, Hover Craft, who will carry topweight of 57.0kg, for apprentice rider Romario Saunders, and Mr Luval, the surprise of the quartet to be ridden by apprentice Prince Holder.

While many of the 16 runners are here to take advantage of the light weight allotted them, the main action should come from Bigman In Town, Perfect Neighbour, Hover Craft and Crucial Appeal with Doc Holiday also possessing the staying bloodline of Crucial Trial being out of Si Mi Trial.