Simpson
Orville Clarke, Gleaner Writer
TOMORROW'S RACING at Caymanas Park is boosted by a Pick-9 carryover of $978,000 and this being the case a first prize in excess of $1.5 million looks a real possibility.
The Pick-9 will embrace races four to 12 while provision has been made for two Super Sixes, the first from one to six and the second from seven to 12. The Super-6 starts anew with a guarenteed minimum of $500,000. There is also a Hi-five carryover of $325,113.75 from Saturday's last race to the sixth on the card.
We look at the second Super-6, beginning with a $210,000 - $180,000 claiming race over the circular nine course to be contested by 11 starters. Among them are top contenders LADY ISIS and PATAS DE FUEGO, both down in class to contest this race.
Indications are that both will have the finish to themselves, as the other down in class campaigner, SIR MOHANDAS BABA, has been struggling to find lost form for some time.
LADY ISIS was a decisive winner over the distance on December 8 when leading home CRIMSON MAGIC on a $230,000 tag. The seven-year-old mare stepped up in class for her subsequent race and could only manage fifth place to BROTHER DANIEL over 1600 metres on a $290,000 tag.
Now back among her peers and senior jockey Clive Lynch at the helm, LADY ISIS will prove hard to beat. However, if she skips a beat, PATAS DE FEUGO under champion jockey Trevor Simpson will be right there to capitalise.
GOOD CONDITION
Trained by Richie Todd, the seven-year-old gelding won over a mile on October 18 and although running below expectations behind BADBOYBIN over 1400 metres in his subsequent race, has looked in good condition and is weighted to go close from the convenient mark of 52.0kg. Incidentally, PATAS DE FUEGO won the Star Trophy over this trip in overnight allowance company three years ago and could well emulate that performance tomorrow.
The fleet-footed ANCIENT SOUL (Simpson up) has finished second in her last two races and having looked the part at exercise, is tipped to go all the way in the eighth race for maiden four-year-olds over 1100 metres.
SIR CHARLES, who has figured prominently in his last four races along with THIS IS THE GIRL are twin dangers in the 15-horse field. Those looking for a possible upsetter could try NO LOAFER, now fitted with the visor.
ROYAL RUN, who missed major races like the Superstakes and Harry Jackson Memorial Cup in the last quarter of 2004 owing to lameness, should return with a bang in the ninth race over 1500 metres for open allowance horses.
Despite racing for the first time since finishing second to I'MSATISFIED in the Prime Minister's stakes on August 6, ROYAL RUN has been burning up the track at exercise in preparation for this race, galloping 5 1/2 furlongs in an eye-popping 1:05.4 Sunday morning. With Simpson taking the ride in preference to stable-companion GOOD COMPANY (also working well), ROYAL RUN looks a five-star banker at this level.
MAIDEN CERTIFICATE
THE SEA PRINCESS, who won very easily over the straight course to release the maiden certificate on November 27, should repeat over same at the expense of GUNG TUNG WAH, CHUCKY and AMERICAN HALO in the 10th for $140,000 claimers.
Race 11 for the James B. Dawes Memorial Trophy over 1300 metres, should be decided among the quartet of JACK EM UP, BOUND FOR GLORY, MR. VIGOROUS and super fit PHYSICS BOOK who bids for his fourth consecutive win.
PHYSICS BOOK held on grimly from SIR KISSON AL over 1400 metres on Boxing Day, but although fit and nicely off at the weights, might find it a bit more difficult to stave off the down in class MR. VIGOROUS in a race of this nature, especially with the speedy top weight JACK EM UP coming to make things pretty hot on the lead. MR. VIGOROUS won five races last season and is a strong contender for 'Claimer of the Year'.
Closing the programme with the very fit HERECOMESTHEJURY in the closing race over the straight five course in which SAMFIE and LA CHITA BONITA are his main rivals in the maximum field of 16. HERECOMESTHEJURY has finished second in his last two races, the more recent on Boxing Day when caught close home by BONNIEVIEW over 1300 metres.
SECOND SUPER-6
(7) LADY ISIS/PATAS DE FUEGO
(8) ANCIENT SOUL/SIR CHARLES/THIS IS THE GIRL
(9) ROYAL RUN
(10) THE SEA PRINCESS/GUNG TUNG WAH/CHUCKY
(11) MR. VIGOROUS/BOUND FOR GLORY/PHYSICS BOOK
(12) HERECOMESTHEJURY/SAMFIE/LA CHITA BONITA
