AD INFINITUM, running as the 3-2 second favourite with two-time champion Brian Harding aboard, closed strongly under top weight in deep stretch to win the $1.2 million Governor General's Stakes over 2000 metres for the second consecutive year at Caymanas Park yesterday.

Although only four horses reported for the grade-one race for three-year-olds and up, the final prep for the November 14 Superstakes over the same distance, it provided keen competition.

Ridden to save ground on the inside as the lightly weighted HOMBRE (3-1) made most from the recent Viceroy Trophy winner GOOD CITIZEN, AD INFINITUM turned for home some four lengths adrift in third, at which stage GOOD CITIZEN (6-1) had disposed of HOMBRE and raced into a clear lead.

Torrid whipping

Although looking the likely winner when three lengths clear a furlong out, GOOD CITIZEN, with apprentice Ansley Dancel, was worn down by the fast-finishing AD INFINITUM, responding to a torrid whipping from Harding over the last 200 metres, getting up in the nick of time to win by a length in the fairly good time of 2.07.3.

Big disappointment was the performance of the reigning 'Horse of the Year' ALSAFRA, who finished a floudering last as the 4-5 favourite. She was never going well in last position at the half- mile and tailed off in the small field.

A seven-year-old bay gelding by Pangur Ban out of Infinity, AD INFINITUM is trained by Anthony 'Baba' Nunes for leading owner Elias Haloute. Significantly, this was his first win since the Superstakes last November, but Nunes felt it was timely with the 2009 Superstakes just around the corner.

"As usual, he carried the weight well and the time was fairly good. He's in good nick for the Superstakes, loves 10 furlongs and I couldn't ask for better going into the race," he said.

On a day when new apprentice Jodien Anderson rode his first winner - the Richard Azan-trained COLEMAN's ROCK (2-1) in the round five Norman Manley Memorial Cup - Panamanian jockey Dick Cardenas highlighted the Heroes Day card with three winners, including the Nunes-trained 17-1 outsider, SPACE-MAN, in the circular nine race (overnight allowance) for the Ace Supercentre Trophy.

The Percy Hussey-trained ROAMING STAR (3-1) under Shane Ellis slammed rivals in the $1.1-million Hi-Pro Stables Choice Feeds Trophy 2-y-o race over 1300 metres, while 2-1 favourite EXPLOSIVE REPORT won the Association of Racing Chemists Trophy race over 1400m in decisive fashion.

Over 20 delegates attending the three-day international conference of the Association of Racing Chemists in Ocho Rios were hosted by the Jamaica Racing Commission at Caymanas Park yesterday.