Richard Azan’s promising native-bred colt Kronus bids for his first win when he makes his debut as a three-year-old in the annual renewal of the Mercury Sprint Cup at Caymanas Park today.

Despite his promise, though, in a high-quality maiden special weight race for native-bred three-year-old colts and geldings, Kronus certainly would not have things his own way.

The Mercury Sprint opens the campaign for native-bred colts and geldings as did the Eight Thirty Sprint for their fillies’ counterparts on Saturday last going 1,000 metres straight.

A maximum field of 16 has been declared for the Mercury Sprint Cup that is scheduled to go to post at approximately 4:10 pm with first post at 12:10 pm.

Kronus as a two-year-old had two career starts both of which ended in defeats. But they were narrow defeats that showed good quality.

He first went down narrowly by three parts of a length to Superior Quality and subsequent winner Seeking My Dreams on debut going 1,200 metres.

That performance was impressive enough to earn him the right to be elevated to a 3-5 favourite status for his next race going 1,300 metres.

He finished much closer than he did in the first attempt, but once again had to settle for a minor share as Computerize stood in his way 1 1/2 lengths ahead.

A bay colt by Liquidity out of Surface To Air (Roman Diplomat) bred at (YS (1955) Ltd) and owned by Elite Bloodstock Ltd, Kronus looks to be quite a versatile sort and with no bends to ride and none of his conquerors present, could easily leave his non-winners tag behind.

Though in a competitive field, Kronus, well drawn at barrier 11, should now use the outside draw to best advantage when doing his best work at the business end of the race. Dane Nelson, the three-time champion jockey, will again be at the helm.

A number of runners include Gresford Smith’s Jassur, Peter McMaster’s Ras Emanuel, along with the more experienced Turbo Machine Cat and Power Of The Cat from the stables of Carl Anderson; King Within to be saddled by Gary Subratie; Mac Mac trained by Marlon Anderson and Action Man from the stables of Lorenzo Robinson can all make Kronus show what he is made of.

Ones To Watch

Race 1 Superior Quality (Omar Walker)

Race 2 Jessie James (Dane Nelson)

Race 3 Bold Aviator (Aaron Chatrie)

Race 4 Musical Director (Robert Halledeen)

Race 5 Lady Abhijita (Dane Nelson)

Race 6 Idon’tknow (Dane Nelson)

Race 7 Phalaenopsis (Shane Ellis)

Race 8 Insane Bolt (Robert Halledeen)

Race 9 Kronus (Dane Nelson)

Race 10 Princess Shine (Arthur Budhu)

Race 11 Eternal Joy (Dane Nelson)