Walker

The Pick-9 had no takers at Caymanas Park last Satur-day and a payout of close to $2 million looks a real possibility.

It was surprising to learn that the Pick-9 eluded everyone, seeing that the fancied horses held their own for the most part. There was one notable upset in the 10-1 chance HOMBRE, who made all impressively in the ninth race for the Nigel B. Nunes Memorial Trophy.

The Pick-9 embraces races three to 11; the Super-6 from race six to 11. We look at the Super-6 which gets under way with a 3-y-o restricted stakes over 1300 metres to be contested by nine starters, including the likely favourite JOHNNY APPLESEED.

In addition to the son of Burning Marque, others expected to figure prominently are recent winner COURT YARD, THE CHIEF, GUAN YU (working well) and HURRICANE JUSTICE, who returns from a four-month absence well trained under champion jockey Omar Walker.

JOHNNY APPLESEED

The Richard Azan-trained JOHNNY APPLESEED ran on strongly to beat a good field over 1100 metres on May 2, getting up in the nick of time to beat MR ZIP in the smart time of 1:06.2. And last time out, on June 27, he beat all barring PATTA in a fast-run 1200-metre race.

With the third horse SUGAR'S IMAGE having paid tribute to the form by winning easily on July 11, this speaks volumes for the chances of JOHNNY APPLESEED (Trevor Simpson up) who carries only 51.0kg.

Next is an overnight allowance race over 1200 metres in which THE REAL STREAM (regaining form) should score an overdue win with Walker riding for champion trainer Wayne DaCosta.

The four-year-old grey gelding ran an improved race when finishing 2 1/2 lengths fourth to his more fancied stable companion THE GUARDIAN over the straight five course on July 1, and having notched his last win over the distance on February 9, is poised to emulate that performance at the expense of hat-trick seeker QUICK AND GRAY and BUSTED LINE (knocking at the door).

One-time classic aspirant HEART OF GOLD (Walker up) should make a triumphant return to active competition after a long absence in the eighth race over 1100 metres for four-year-olds and up (non-winners of two).

15-month absence

Trained by DaCosta, HEART OF GOLD finished third to Triple Crown winner ALSAFRA in both the 1000 Guineas and the Oaks in April of last year and, despite a 15-month absence, reports in good nick. She should be good enough to upstage the very fit pair of OUR DEELITE and QUICKSTER late in the race.

Briefly, the speedy C'EST MOI (working well) will have to be caught in the ninth race for three-year-old fillies over the straight, while the reigning champion sprinter AHWHOFAH is working too well to lose the 10th race for the She's On Wheels Trophy grade one over 1100 metres.

Six have been declared for this race, including four from the stables of Wayne DaCosta, including the fleet-footed American filly RACING MACHINE, who has won six of her seven races so far, and looks a big danger to stable companion AHWHOFAH. Then take FOURFORTYFOURTRAIN to get the better of FOX MAN and MAZDA POWER in the closing race over 1500 metres (claiming $180,000), the Track Price Dig Out Handicap.

SUPER-6 FANCIES

(6) JOHNNY APPLESEED/ HURRICANE JUSTICE

(7) THE REAL STREAM/ QUICK AND GRAY

(8) HEART OF GOLD

(9) C'EST MOI/SAPPHIRE

(10) AHWHOFAH/ RACING MACHINE

(11) FOURFORTYFOURTRAIN/ FOX MAN/MAZDA POWER