Rum Talk's (Trevor Simpson) getting the better of Muhco Gusto in April 7, 2000 Guineas at Caymanas Park. - file

Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer

Guineas winners and Triple Crown hopefuls RUM TALK and LADY T head the list of entries for Saturday's $4.25 million Digicel Jamaica Derby over 2400 metres at Caymanas Park.

The Philip Feanny-trained colt RUM TALK, winner of the April 7 Jamaica Licensed Bookmakers 2000 Guineas and the champion two-year-old of last season, is the ante-post favourite for this the 87th running of the premier classic for native bred three-year-olds. Bred by Henry Jaghai, the son of Royal Minister - Good A Gold will again be ridden by five-time champion jockey Trevor Simpson.

The filly LADY T from the stables of Dwight Chen, won both the 1000 Guineas and Oaks, both in April and is one of two fillies among the 11 entries received. The other is Oaks runner-up GRACE MARIE who recently changed stables, moving from trainer Barry Dawes to Barrington Rambally. Both fillies will receive a 2.0kg sex allowance from the colts and geldings.

Ian Spence will again have the leg over LADY T, while Rambally yesterday disclosed that he has retained Devon A. Thomas on GRACE MARIE.

Trainer Anthony 'Baba' Nunes, who saddles both the Lotto Classic (Governor's Cup) winner IL CAIMANO and the consistent MUCHO GUSTO, will seek to emulate the feat of his late father by saddling his second derby winner following TERREMOTO in 1998. His father, Nigel Nunes, posted BALLADIER and LUCKY OLE SON to victory in 1972 and 1979, respectively, while Anthony's older brother, Andrew, won his derby with the filly RESTLESS BABE in1993.

Highly fancied

Co-leading rider Paul 'Country' Francis will pilot the highly fancied MUCHO GUSTO and resident Panamanian jockey Ameth Robles stays aboard IL CAIMANO, both owned by the Barbadian Elias Haloute.

Completing the list of entries are THE BOMBER, an unbeaten colt from the stables of Patrick Lynch who will again have the services of leading all-time classic winning jockey Winston Griffiths, NATU-RALLY ROYAL (Richard Mitchell up), IVAN THE TERRIBLE (Emilio 'Bimbo' Rodriquez), CHIPONYOURSHOULDER (Shane Ellis), MY TRAIN and MR. PRIDE.

Meanwhile, the 2004 'Horse of the Year' DISTINCTLY IRISH heads a list of 11 entries for the Digicel Irish Jamaican Stakes over 1300 metres with a purse of $1.3 million.

DISTINCTLY IRISH won this very race in 2005 and despite the presence of such proven cam-paigners as CLOCK WORK, RAMPAGE, MUSICAL MAES-TRO, MAYOR MAYER, JUST SOME THOUGHTS and CALA-BASH BAY, the Feanny-trained gelding will more than likely start favourite with customary top weight.