By Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer
The even money favourite GLORIOUS STAR responds to a bustling ride from champion jockey Trevor Simpson to beat HAPHAZARD (Charles Hussey) by a head in a driving finish over a mile at Caymanas Park on Wednesday to complete a double for champion trainer Wayne DaCosta. His other winner was ZULU PRINCESS in the first race. - Michael Sloley /Freelance Photographer
BOTH THE Super-6 and Pick-9 start anew at Caymanas Park tomorrow. On Wednesday, three lucky punters cornered the $2.1 million Pick-9, each receiving $733,000.
The Pick-9 will embrace races three to 11 and the Super-6 from the sixth to the 11th on the fourth annual RJR Communications Raceday programme.
The first of the Super-Six races is a $170,000 - $145,000 claiming race to be contested by 12 starters over the straight five course.
Those expected to figure in the outcome are the recent winners LUCKI PLUCKI and NORAN BATMAN, MR. EDMUNDO, STRAIGHTOTHEWHEART and THAT'S GOLD.
LUCKI PLUCKI won quite easily over 1200 metres on July 16, leading home the subsequent winner PARTING SHOT and fleet-footed THAT'S GOLD who led for 1000 metres that day.
Although up 3.0kg in the scales and not the best drawn on the far rails, LUCKI PLUCKI is so fit that he could still enter the reckoning.
THAT'S GOLD, on the other hand, is best drawn on the outside at post position 12 and despite the sound claims of the speedy STRAIGHTOTHEHEART (knocking at the door) and NORAN BATMAN (truly loves the straight), the grey gelding from the stables of Gary Subratie should win from STRAIGHTTOTHEHEART who chased home PARTING SHOT over 1400 metres on Wednesday.
Race seven, the second on which the Super-6 will be conducted, is the Radio2 Music & Sports Lifestyle restricted allowance over the round five course to be contested by seven native bred three-year-olds (non winners) of two.
CITY LIGHTS, SUPA LEI, VAMANOS AMIGA and the recent winner SLEW THEM DAVID is the quartet from which the winner should emerge and it could be pretty close.
CITY LIGHTS will more than likely start favourite, even though racing for the first time since December of last year. The bay filly from the stables of Percy Hussey has had a long and steady preparation and will not only report fit, but rearing to go.
On past performances, the lightly raced daughter of Pat N Jack - Shining can prove equal to the task and now that she runs on lasix for the first time, should lead home the speedy pair of VAMANOS AMIGA (working really well) and SLEW THEM DAVID who outlasted the subsequent winner LONG LONG JOURNEY over 1200 metres on June 13.
NAVIGATOR, who was not disgraced behind NO TEAR over 1700 metres on July 12 when racing close up to the last furlong, should rebound with a victory in the next race for the RJR News Cup over 1400 metres.
Prior to his last run, NAVIGATOR ran PRINCESS ALEXANDRA to half a length over this very trip on April 26 and now that he renews rivalry on 5.0kg better terms, should not only turn the tables on PRINCESS ALEXANDRA, but beat the others (including QUEEN HILL and LITTLEREDRIDINGHOOD) as well.
TO BE CONTINUED, who just failed to catch the 99-1 outsider MEDICAL ACCOUNT over 1200 metres last Saturday, is tipped to go one better in the ninth race over 1300 metres for maiden three-year-olds.
TO BE CONTINUED fairly flew the last furlong in that race and could be deemed a shade unlucky to lose by a nose. Given the additional 100 metres of this race and former champion jockey Wesley Henry replacing apprentice Andrew Nunes, the bay filly by Pat N Jac - Bold Queen should make no mistake.
Her main rivals in the 14-horse field are stable-companion DUE RESPECT and PRINCE NATANIEL, both of whom were behind her last Saturday, as well as HIGHEST CREST.
Race 10, the fourth running of the 3-y-o and up overnight allowance for the RJR Classic over 1400 metres, should resolve itself into a straight fight between last year's winner CAPTAIN BLIGH and the lightly raced but highly thought of American 3-y-o colt FORGOTTEN HERO, who has been working exceptionally well to meet this engagement.
Both have strong credentials but CAPTAIN BLIGH who is genuine and consistent as they come should use his experience to best advantage and win this race for the second consecutive year.
The 4-y-o bay gelding from the stables of in-form trainer Anthony Nunes beat ZULU PRINCESS in a driving finish for the Frankie Frazer Memorial Cup over 1300 metres on June 28 and with ZULU PRINCESS coming back with a smart win in open allowance company on Wednesday, CAPTAIN BLIGH is tipped to follow suit.
The 11th and final race over the circular nine course should see TROPICAL STAR, FOREST FRESH, SIR SASTRI BAHADUR and recent winner DEALWITHIT in serious contention at the end.
TROPICAL STAR, who has won two of his last four races, is back to his happy hunting ground for this race and should prove too strong for DEALWITHIT and FOREST FRESH.
