Ainsley Walters, Gleaner Writer

MUCHO GUSTO, pushed out by Canada-based Jamaican jockey, Shane Ellis, romps the 1300-metre New Year's Day Trophy race at Caymanas Park on Tuesday, beating TAKE FIVE by three lengths. MUCHO GUSTO is trained by Anthony Nunes and owned by Barbadian, Elias Haloute. MUCHO GUSTO was one of three winners on the programme for Ellis, who booted home PREMIUM VELOCITY for Nunes in the fourth race as well as UNLEADED for Gary Subratie in the CTL Fan appreciation Day Trophy race over 2200 metres.

CHAMPION trainer Wayne DaCosta's JJ'S RED ROCKET has been thrown in on a $170,000 claiming tag in Saturday's 1000-metre round, 10th event and seems a safe banker for Super-6 players.

Without a victory in 17 starts, 15 as a three-year-old last season, JJ's RED ROCKET has obviously exhausted his owners' patience, prompting DaCosta to place the four-year-old gelding at the bottom of the claiming ladder, where there will be many takers and a sure shot at a maiden win.

Last time out, JJ'S RED ROCKET finished four lengths, fifth behind MISS CREE and the fast-finishing ALFALLO at 1000 metres straight. He was also third at the distance in his previous race, beaten by HI TECH and FLASH FLOOD.

Facing 12 opponents at the minimum trip, JJ'S RED ROCKET has everything in his favour including improving three-kilo claiming apprentice Rayan Wilson and a perfect outside draw.

Main threats

DaCosta's runner has faced far better horses over the past year and should put away $170,000 claimers. His main threat seems to be Welsh Soutar's RED I, who is stepping down in class off a $210,000 claim on November 3.

RED I should have started at the level from which he was claimed but was scratched lame at the gate on December 15.

With RED I's fitness in question, JJ'S RED ROCKET should have the remainder of the field covered.

Champion jockey Omar Walker picked up a nil on New Year's Day but should rebound in style on Saturday as he has several live rides on the card including UGOTTA-BELIEVE in the 1200-metre Colin Melhado Memorial Cup.

The six-year-old mare led for five and a half-furlongs last time out in a duel with YAMASHITA'S GOLD and weakened into fourth place behind POWER CRACKER, who stormed from off the pace to grab the lead close to home over 1200 metres.

With no matching speed to go with UGOTTABELIEVE this time around, Walker, who won aboard her at the distance on a $170,000 tag in October, should have the Steadman Curtis-trained runner relaxed on the lead.

Down in class MILLION DOLLARBABY has some speed, but being drawn down along the rail at post-position two with near topweight of 55.0 kilos, against UGOTTABELIEVE out wide with 50.0, could see the Roy Shields-trained filly backing up in the stretch run, if asked to chase the speed down the backstretch.

Splits set by UGOTTA-BELIEVE last time out, 23.3, 35.0, 47.1 and 1:00.0 for five furlongs, indicate she should get away from rivals down the backstretch. Walker also looks good aboard MEDIC ON BOARD in the sixth at 1300 metres and hat-trick seeker TRUE HONOUR, stepping up in class to battle non-winners-of-three at 1400 metres in the seventh, after scoring back-to-back wins at a mile.

SELECTIONS

(5) SHAHID/

REGAL SERENADE

(6) MEDIC ON BOARD

(7) TRUE HONOUR

(8) ALFALLO/SHADOWS

(9) UGOTTABELIEVE/MILLION DOLLARBABY

(10) JJ'S RED ROCKET