HOUSTON, Aug 25 (Reuters) - A U.S. court officer

overseeing an auction of shares in the parent of Venezuela-owned

refiner Citgo Petroleum said on Monday a bid by an affiliate of

hedge fund Elliott Investment Management is considered superior

to an offer by a group led by miner Gold Reserve ( GDRZF ), which

he had previously recommended as the winner.

The evaluation by officer Robert Pincus could lead to a new

winner recommendation if Gold Reserve's ( GDRZF ) subsidiary Dalinar

Energy does not soon match or exceed the terms submitted by

Elliott's affiliate Amber Energy.