By Orville Clarke, Freelance WriterLEADING jockey Trevor Simpson, who rode consecutive triples over the past two race days including his 50th winner of the season, is poised to impact on tomorrow's Racing Pools game in a big way, having secured nine rides on the full programme.
The jockey, popularly called "Slicer", should start the ball rolling from the very first race in which his mount LITTLE PALIUM looks the horse to beat following his good second to TOM CAT over 1200 metres last Saturday.
The seven-year-old gelding led until collared by TOM CAT midway the last furlong. In this smaller field, however, he should be able to lead home PHOENIX SON and LITTLE M, who ran well for fourth behind TOM CAT last Saturday.
On past performances, PHOENIX SON would safely account for LITTLE PALIUM, but the 7-y-o gelding has apparently declined in ability over the past six months and now has to fight for his supper.
It should be Simpson again in the second Pools race where he is down to ride the consistent MR. LONGINO. The grey gelding obviously found the trip too sharp when finishing third to ROY'STOY over 1100 metres on March 30, but prior to that had chased home REJECT over 1500 metres and was beaten a nose by RIVER JORDON over a similar trip on February 20.
Having worked fairly well, MR. LONGINO should prove too good for PRINCESS ARIZONA who ran well for third behind IDITAROD going 1700 metres last Saturday, and VIGILANTE who has shown signs of ability.
Simpson could well make it three in a row with the fleet footed 3-y-o filly PRINCESS TALIA in the Restricted Allowance II over the round five course.
Despite the presence of fellow speedsters ROY'STOY, LADY HYDERABAD and DANZIG LA RAE, PRINCESS TALIA who was just beaten by CAPTAIN BLIGH over 1100 metres on April 6, could prove the fastest of all. I take her to win from ROY'STOY and CLASSY TANYA who is regaining form.
The fourth race over 1200 metres sees Simpson down to ride the likely favourite CHOCOLATE SLEW from the stables of in-form trainer trainer Richard Todd. Simpson, who is popularly called "Slicer" should extend his streak with the 4-y-o filly, even though I would advise players to use back up choices in recent winners PRINCESS JAYSHARE, POLISH STAR and NO TEAR.
Race five over the straight five course should see Simpson's mount SIR CAT, MINISTER ON WHEELS, PEACH OF A PEARL and DANCING JINSKY in serious conention where it matters.
SIR CAT has good speed but the five-year-old gelding has not been holding his gallop in the closing stages and, Simpson or no Simpson, should fall victim to MINISTER ON WHEELS, who indicated a return to form on April 27 when finishing a good second to MEDIATOR over 1200 metres.
The last three races should be won by CRIME OF PASSION (fit, stepping down to vie for trophy), LOVER'S CHOICE (model of consistency) and FIGHT FOR LIFE (unlucky loser last time out). Their respective dangers are SUL EXPRESS in the 6th, Division I of the "Puckoo" DeSouza Memorial Cup feature; RAJMIR in the 7th and PRIVATE AFFAIR in Division II of the feature.
The game boasts a carryover of $64,000.
