Bank on Hologram Shadow

In-form HOLOGRAM SHADOW looks like the horse to beat in the 3-y-o and up overnight allowance feature over a mile at Caymanas Park today.

The six-year-old gelding from the stables of Lorne Kirlew won easily over this trip on March 28 in high-claiming company, covering the distance in the good time of 1:39.3. Since then, the son of Distorted - Unreal Fantasy lost nothing in defeat in his next two starts, first when finishing second to EDISON over 1500 metres, a race in which he beat the subsequent winner TIMEFORARMS in a photo for second. And last time out on May 16, he stayed on well for third to BORDER LINE and subsequent winner JANIBOUTICE over the straight in the G.A. 'Sarge' Bucknor Memorial Cup.

Back in action with a mere 50.0kg by virtue of the apprentice Sadiki Blake's 3.0kg claiming allowance, HOLOGRAM SHADOW should set off in front and prove hard to beat.

fit horses

True, he faces some very fit horses such as the recent winners BOLD AVIATOR and ZACKONTHEATTACK, both up in class, and especially the consistent MILITARY MOVE with in-form Shane Ellis riding for trainer Lawrence Freemantle.

MILITARY MOVE has not visited the winners' enclosure since scoring over 2000 metres in September of last year. Despite this, he has finished second in three of his last four races, looking the part when chasing home out of class TIMEFORARMS over 1820 metres on May 23. With that under his girth, the 6-y-o son of Outrigger looks the principal danger to my selection, HOLOGRAM SHADOW in a seven-strong field.

Meanwhile, with the Pick-9 eluding punters for a 10th consecutive raceday on Saturday, the carryover to today's meet stands at a whopping $14.7 million.

Pick-9 sales topped $7 million on Saturday but with the carryover this large, sales could go through the roof with the big spenders taking a keen interest of late. This being the case, a payout in excess of $18 million looks a mere formality.