Simpson...rides Lady Kayla
Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer
ALL EXOTIC bets start anew at Caymanas Park tomorrow, the 11-race programme featuring the $210,000 - $180,000 claiming race for the Colin Melhado Memorial Cup over 1200 metres.
The Pick-9, which was cornered by three punters last Saturday (each receiving $497,000), will be conducted from race three to 11. And the Super-6 from race six to 11. Both offer guaranteed minimums of $500,000.
We look at the Super-6 which gets under way with a $140,000 claiming race over 1400 metres in which the likely favourite PROCEEDACCORDINGLY will seek to make amends for his poor showing behind MYBLUBELLE over 1600 metres on January 8.
Although highly fancied that day, PROCEEDACCORDINGLY ran no race at all to finish a remote 12th. Now that much sharper and running against $140,000 conditional claimers, PROCEEDACCORDINGLY can definitely come alive and spreadeagle his 10 opponents.
A fit PROCEEDACCORDINGLY is much better than this level, yet I have some doubts about his current well being and horses such as STAR OF THE MOMENT, MATERIAL BABA, LUCKI PLUCKI and FLASHING LYNDA should be brought into the reckoning.
VOTE
My vote goes to FLASHING LYNDA who finished ahead of PROCEEDACCORDINGLY in the race won by MYBLUEBELLE. STAR OF THE MOMENT and LUCKI PLUCKI.
Next comes a restricted allowance V for native bred four-year-olds and up to be contested by 10 starters over the circular nine course. On the strength of her close second to DRAW CARD over 1500 metres on January 1, TV-AD will prove hard to beat from the convenient mark of 53.0kg. She will get the distance and should stave off ABOVE THE LAW and EXOTIC GLOW, both effective over the distance.
The improving MISS STRAWBERRY is tipped to complete the hat-trick when she takes on 13 opponents in the eighth race (non winners of three) for five-year-olds and up over 1600 metres.
Trained by Desmond Shand, the five-year-old mare completed impressive back-to-back wins over 1300 metres on November 13 and having pleased in her preparation, ought to be followed with smart apprentice Marklee Buchanan riding her from the convenient mark of 51.0kg. HI JOE, EL BEAU and INTROSPECTION, all in good nick, could ensure she is extended at a mile.
FIGHT
The ninth race for maiden three-year-olds should resolve itself into a straight fight between SIR KHAN who chased home DIGGY N' JIGGY at a respectable distance in a fast run 1400-metre race on his recent debut and Richard Azan's O'ME O'MY, who closed rapidly into sixth place (beaten 3 1/2 lengths) behind LISA'S RIGG on her December 11 debut over 1200 metres.
Both will love the distance and it should be close, but SIR KHAN now has the services of champion jockey Trevor Simpson and this could tilt the balance in his favour.
Simpson should also win the 10th race over 1500 metres with the imported filly LADY KAYLA, who ran encouragingly for third behind stable-companion ROYAL RUN over the same distance last Saturday, while the seven-year-old horse TSUNAMI (looking better in condition of late) is definitely one to watch in the nightpan over 1200 metres, as he still has a shot or two left to fire. RAINBOW CHASER along with the recent winners AMERICAN HALO and ROBOCOP should ensure stiff competition.
SUPER-6 FANCIES
6) FLASHING LYNDA/PROCEEDACCORDINGLY/LUCKI PLUCKI
7) T.V. AD/ABOVE THE LAW/EXOTIC GLOW
8) MISS STRAWBERRY/HI JOE/EL BEAU
9) SIR KHAN/O'ME O'MY
10) LADY KAYLA
11) RAINBOW CHASER/ TSUNAMI/AMERICAN HALO
