Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer
TREVOR SIMPSON... returns from three-day suspension.
THE PICK-9 WAS caught for the third consecutive race day on Wednesday and starts a anew at Caymanas Park tomorrow with the guaranteed minimum of $1 million.
It is rather unusual to see the Pick-9 going down on three consecutive racedays, but it could be that punters are getting wiser or luckier in the new year.
On Wednesday, the Pick-9 was shared by 16 punters, each receiving $62,500. The Super-6, on the other hand, saw 238 correct forecasts of $3.191.50 each.
Tomorrow's nine-race programme which commences at noon will see the Pick-9 conducted on all the races. The Super-6 embraces races four to nine. We look at the Super-6.
It gets under way with a straight five claiming race in which 10 starters have been declared, among them leading lights YAHABIBI, MUSIC MASTER, SPYRIT and MYSTIC RIVER.
The Gary Subratie-trained YAHABIBI will more than likely start favourite following her close third to MOZURI over the course on December 7 when beaten in a blanket finish. Coming from the unfavourable number one post position, she had every chance when challenging the leader TROPICAL STORM in the last furlong, but failed to carry through the effort as MOZURI fairly flew in the closing stages for an upset victory.
Although unplaced behind KING AL over 1100 metres in her subsequent race on Boxing Day, YAHABIBI is back to where she is comfortable and should rebound at the expense of MUSIC MASTER who signalled his return to form on December 14 when narrowly beaten by TUTOR over the course, and SPYRIT who finished only two lengths sixth (a length behind YAHABIBI) in the race won by MOZURI.
GLORIOUS OPPORTUNITY
Another straight five race for five-year-olds and up is next on the programme and here FACING FAME has a glorious opportunity to resume winning ways in the seven-horse field. The grey horse won narrowly over the straight course on August 20 and has finished third in his last two races to horses of the calibre of CONCORDE and STORMY SKY.
Back over the straight course and having caught the eye at exercise, the Desmond Shand-trained FACING FAME will prove hard to beat from the outside draw. STEAD GOLD and FAITHFUL ROBBIE, both effective over the straight, are his main rivals.
PATH OF BLISS,, who has failed in 20 attempts to win a race, now gets a glorious opportunity to do so in the sixth race over 1500 metres for maiden four-year-olds and up.
The 4-y-o bay filly failed by a length to catch SHADEKAY over the circular nine course on November 30, and last time out was third to LIBERTADOR over a mile. She faces a much easier task in present company and despite the sound claims of APASSIONATA (improving) and INFORMACY (knocking at the door), PATH OF BLISS is preferred.
TWEEDSIDE, who dropped out of the sky to win over the circular nine course last time out, is tipped to win the seventh race over 1600 metres, despite the presence of the recent winners GUIDING LIGHT, FUSILIER and JACK BE GOOD. Trained by Anthony Nunes, TWEEDSIDE will not find a mile too sharp and his final rattle should prove hard to withstand with in-form Dane Nelson astride.
The lightly raced but highly thought of American colt QUIET STRENGTH returns from a 10-month absence to contest the eighth race over 1100 metres for overnight allowance horses and having worked exceptionally well, should return with a bang. Then, take the down in class CORDITE to lead home ARDRIGH and SPEED HOWARD in the closing race over 1300 metres for $160,000 claimers.
SUPER-6 FANCIES
4) YAHABIBI/MUSIC MASTER/SPYRIT
5) FACING FAME
6) PATH OF BLISS/APASSIONATA/ INFORMACY
7) TWEEDSIDE/JACK BE GOOD/GUIDING LIGHT
8) QUIET STRENGTH
9) CORDITE/ARDRIGH/SPEED HOWARD
