Marvellous Marva , the Philip Feanny-trained five-year-old grey mare, under a well-executed ride from female apprentice jockey Melissa Ward outlasted Hover Craft by a head to win the $1.15-million Mark My Word Trophy highlighter at Caymanas Park yesterday.

Marvellous Marva got a sharp break and was pushed to the lead by Ward going around the Clubhouse turn ahead of Uncle Taf (Dick Cardenas) and Hover Craft (Omar Walker) in the Open Allowance event for three-year-olds and upward over nine furlongs and 25 yards (1,820m).

Marvellous Marva maintained a steady gallop down the back stretch and was let loose by Ward at the half-mile (800m). At that stage the grey mare began to open up of the field going further away as the small field approached the final bend.

Although shortening a bit in the final stages of the race, Marvellous Marva had done more than enough and held on for her second victory for the season from three starts to now enter the portal of the elites in training at this time.

Timeforarms, under Oneil Scott, finished third with Uncle Taf in fourth. The final time was 1:57.0.

“I wasn’t worried or anything as I was confident that we would get the job done here today (yesterday). It was a close race but we did what we had to do. I rode her ( Marvellous Marva) before and so I was comfortable aboard her today (yesterday),” Ward said.

While Marvellous Marva duly took centre on the 11-race card, much attention was given to two veteran riders, Talbert Howell who was riding here after a 19-year absence, and journeyman Ancel Dancel.

Howell guided the Errol Waugh-trained Loose Cannon to a three-and-three quarters length win in the Labour Day Trophy over six furlongs (1,200m).

Loose Cannon won ahead of Little Big Horn and Runallday in a time of 1:12.2.

Dancel waited until the final race of the day to bring home his first winner for this season aboard Anwar, in a five-straight event for four-year-old non-winners of two. Anwar, who is trained by Gresford Smith, beat Paper Chaser (second with Anthony Thomas) and Let It Snow (Javaniel Patterson) in the third slot.

Racing continues on Saturday, Lotto Race Day, featuring the Lotto Classic for the Governor’s Cup for native-bred three-year-olds over 10 furlongs (2,000m) and the highly anticipated Lotto Sprint for the top-class horses.