BY RUDDY ALLEN

Observer staff reporter

ALACRANN, champion two-year-old of last year and one of the leading three-year-old contenders for this year’s Cal’s Jamaica Derby, is out of the Blue Riband event and is unlikely to run again this season.

The Stephan Narinesingh-owned chestnut colt by Traditional – Maria’s Appeal by Maria’s Mon has raced three times this season without a victory. Alacrann finished third in the 2,000 Guineas behind Ali Baba and Seeking My Dream at a mile on April 6 as the 6-5 favourite.

Nunes said that his charge was carrying a chipped bone injury sustained on December 26 last year when he was victorious in the Jamaica Two-Year-Old Stakes run over a mile.

“Alacrann picked up an injury on Boxing Day last year. He chipped a bone in one of his knees and it resurfaced after his preparation race on Governor’s Cup Day in an Overnight Allowance event when he ran very poorly, finishing fifth as the favourite,” Nunes told the Complete Racing Guide.

Nunes said Alacrann will need surgery and time to recover.

“When Alacrann returned home after racing on Governor’s Cup Day, we waited a couple of days to see if he came out of race OK, but it wasn’t so.

“He is going to need surgery but hopefully it is not career-threatening. If all goes well he should be back next year for the four-year-old season,” Nunes said.

Alacrann has raced eight times in his career with three victories, one second-place finish, two thirds, one fifth-place finish and a sixth for lifetime earnings of $5,663,950.

Despite the absence of Alacrann, Nunes will still have a strong presence in the Derby with Berranca, Southern Cruise and Siempre Bueno.

“Southern Cruise and Berranca are already confirmed for the Derby, and Siempre Bueno’s participation will be determined after his workout this weekend.

“Jockey Shane Ellis will make the decision which horse he will ride and Andre Martin will get the other,” noted Nunes.

As to his chances of winning the Derby, Nunes said: “Having watched the Governor’s Cup and the preparation races for all the horses, we felt that maybe there is a little bit of stamina limitation affecting half of the three-year-olds. They are nice, talented horses, but I am not sure we have legitimate 12-furlong horses, so we believe that Berranca will have a shot as she can stay the trip. They are our second string of horses with Alacrann out, and we just hope to give it our best shot and see how it works out for the stables.”