By Orville Clarke, Freelance WriterBOTH THE Pick-9 and Super-6 start anew at Caymanas Park tomorrow, the popular bets offering the gauranteed minimum of $500,000.
The $2 million plus Pick-9 was cornered by five punters on Wednesday, each receiving a whopping $481,196.50. The Pick-9 will be conducted on races two to 10 and the Super-6 from five to 10. Our focus is on the Super-6 which gets underway with the RJR News Cup to be contested by six horses from the $210,000 - $180,000 claiming spread over 1700 metres.
The likely favourite, NO TEAR is coming off an easy victory over this trip on June 26 and indications are she will repeat in this small field. The 6-y-o mare, who was voted 'Claimer of the Year' in 2003, won by 5 1/2 lengths from previous winner CHAMBA KOO and continues to look fluent at exercise.
She is obviously in good nick and should lead home the stretch running QUEEN HILL and the recent winner SIR ABBAS MANGAL, now stepping up to compete.
LONG OVERDUE WIN
Next on the programmme is a straight five claiming race ($140,000) in which 11 starters have been declared.
The main hopefuls are RESTLESS PEGASUS, SPEED MACHNE, GENERAL VERRAZANO and MOTHER OF PEARL, all effective over the straight. The Richie Todd-trained RESTLESS PEGASUS is not only well drawn at post position 10, but is weighted to give apprentice Dane Nelson a long overdue win.
When last raced over the course on June 12, RESTLESS PEGASUS was not disgraced when finishing third to the out-of-class SOUTHERN DANCER and prior to that he was two lengths fifth (after missing the break) to stable-companion PLEASANT WOOD over the course.
Being a regular visitor to the pool, RESTLESS PEGASUS should be fit enough to lead home the down-in-class SPEED MACHINE and GENERAL VERRAZANO.
Race seven over a mile looks tailored for the progressive CHOSEN ONE, the mount of champion jockey Trevor Simpson. This lightly raced 3-y-o colt from the stables of Dwight Chen won easily over a mile on June 19, covering the distance in the fairly good time of 1:40.0.
Having moved exceptionally well at exercise since, CHOSEN ONE will not be easily denied and should repeat at the expense of the imported DOCS PALLADIN and URAM in a field of seven.
The eighth race, Division II of the $140,000 claiming straight five race, should see STAR CREEK, COMMON 'D', ONE SON and BUCKEISHA in contention at the end.
CAUGHT THE EYE
STAR CREEK caught the eye on June 12 when chasing home SOUTHERN DANCER over the course and with less to do in present company, is back with an outstanding chance. However, COMMON 'D' (Dane Nelson up) has looked so responsive at exercise coming into this race that he could prove a cinch with a mere 49.5kg. What's more he has been administered Lasix for the first time and this will surely enhance his chances.
The ninth race over a mile should resolve itself into a straight fight between SIR CHACHA BABA and MAMBO with the former getting the nod by virtue of his consistency. And the closing race, the RJR Classic over 1500, should see GOOD COMPANY getting the better of stable-companion FORMALLY GOLD, ZAMA, CAPTAIN BONE and PEACE & LOVE. That the Hi-five, folks.
SUPER-6 FANCIES
(5) NO TEAR/QUEEN HILL
(6) RESTLESS PEGASUS/
SPEED MACHINE/
GENERAL VERRAZANO
(7) CHOSEN ONE
(8) COMMON 'D'/STAR
CREST
(9) SIR CHACHA BABA/
MAMBO
(10) GOOD COMPANY/
FORMALLY GOLD/ZAMA
