Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer
Francis ... rides Golconda - FILE
THE PICK-9 eluded punters for a second consecutive raceday at Caymanas Park on Wednesday and the carry-over to tomorrow's meet remains at $1 million.
However, with the kitty getting heavier, indications are that it will offer a first prize in excess of $1.5 million. The Pick-9 will embrace races two to 10.
Meanwhile, the Pick-6 starts anew with its guaranteed minimum of $500,000. This will be conducted from race five to 10. We look at the Super-6.
This gets underway with a restricted allowance race (non winners of three) over the circular nine course to be contested by six starters.
Clearly the one to beat is the late kicking GOLCONDA who has been knocking at the door lately. Trained by Ralph Roberts, the five-year-old mare closed rapidly into fourth place behind JAGMAR in the Gerald Farquharson Memorial Cup over 1400 metres last Saturday, a race in which she was beaten a mere 2 1/4 lengths. Prior to that on May 14 she also finished fast for third in a one mile race won by DRAW CARD, just failing to pip LE CHIC for second.
GOLCONDA has been begging for longer distances and with the trip now perfect,. should win from MARVELOUS MINISTER and MAMBO, both fit horses. In-form champion apprentice Paul 'Country' Francis again has the leg over GOLCONDA.
Next is a 1300-metre race for native bred three-year-olds to be contested by nine starters. This should come down to a straight fight between ESTOY LISTO and SYMBOL OF HOPE, with the Anthony Nunes-trained ESTOY LISTO (working well) getting the nod on the strength of his close third to ROYAL COMMAND and AD INFINITUM in the Sir Howard Stakes over 1200 metres on February 19.
The stable-companions EPICTATUS, ZICKWARTY and SIT-O, all well trained, should have a battle royal for top honours in the seventh race over the straight five course and although the Philip Feanny-trained MEDICAL REPORT could crash their party, preference is for EPICTATUS who will have the services of bang-in-form stable jockey Brian Harding.
Moreover, EPICTATUS is something of a specialist over the straight course, having beaten subsequent winners ZICKWARTY and CHOSEN ONE by 1 3/4 lengths over same on April 9. The five-year-old gelding has moved brilliantly at exercise and with Lasix applied for the first time, looks the one to beat.
VISIONARY, having signalled his return to form with a third place finish behind JETLYN'S DRAMA over 1200 metres recently and was then claimed, should reward his new connections in the eighth race again over 1200 metres. The 7-y-o bay gelding has looked fit and well in recent exercise spins and only needs to be 90 per cent in order to put away AFFIRMATION and YYESSBABY, both on the rebound.
The ninth race for the Chairman's Trophy (graded stakes) over 1500 metres has attracted a star-studded field of nine, including the illustrious stable-companions DISTINCTLY IRISH and A KING IS BORN, first and second respectively in the prestigious Digicel Irish Jamaican Stakes over 1300 metres on June 4.
Indeed, DISTINCTLY IRISH will be renewing rivalry with seven of the horses he beat in the 'Digicel' including A KING IS BORN (2nd), COURT CASE (3rd), HERECOMESFUDGIE (4th), CLOCK WORK (5th) and ROYAL RUN (6th),
It promises to be a good race, but I believe the extra 3.0kg will not be enough to stop DISTINCTLY IRISH, especially over the additional furlong of this race. Then,. take the recent winner AIR & DARE to beat SOUTHERN DANCER, HEAVENLY DREAMS and RUMDUMLPLINRUN in the closing race over the straight five course.
SUPER-6 FANCIES
(5) GOLCONDA
(6) ESTOY LISTO/SYMBOL OF HOPE
(7) EPICTATUS/SIT O/ZICKWARTY
(8) VISIONARY/AFFIRMATION/YYESSBABY
(9) DISTINCTLY IRISH
(10) AIR & DARE/SOUTHERN DANCER/HEAVENLY DREAMS
