Fedora safe as Fort Knox

Former champion jockey Shane Ellis, who rode a triple last Sunday at Caymanas Park to be joint leader with Omar Walker on 39 wins, should surge ahead after winning the first race over 600 metres straight for two-year-olds with first-time runner FEDORA.

Trained by Richard Azan, the chestnut filly by Nuclear Wayne out of Patty Girl, bred by Ham Stables Limited, has looked well forward at exercise in recent weeks, galloping from the gates in 1:01.3 by 35.0, 47.1 on June 20. She again pleased in a two-furlong gallop last Sunday morning, clocking 23.3 (bullet work).

Having shown good speed in her preparation, FEDORA should lead home the Wayne DaCosta-trained filly CRUISING MOTION (Robert Halledeen), who showed promise on debut when chasing home BUBBLING KITTEN on June 13 over this trip.

Next on the St Leger Day programme, which will see the Pick-9 commencing in the third race, XQUISITE CHOICE, with Omar Walker now taking the ride, should prove too strong for rivals in the second race over a mile in which seven will run.

Trained by Michael McIntosh, XQUISITE CHOICE has run some good races in defeat, finishing a length second to BLACK THORN over 1500 metres on March 29 (closing strongly). The four-year-old son of Seeking The Glory gets the ideal trip on this occasion and should win from hat-trick seeker COVER DRIVE and DA JACKAL, who failed narrowly against LORD STORM when sprinting on Sunday.

The Wayne DaCosta-trained grey gelding ITALIANO, having regained long lost form, should score an overdue win in the third race for high claimers over 1500 metres, to be contested by seven starters.

ITALIANO, the mount of Halledeen, steps down from overnight allowance company for a crack at these, and despite the presence of the recent winners STAR NEW VISTA and CLASSY PROSPECT with Walker aboard, gets a glorious opportunity on a $550,000 claiming tag after finishing second to BOLD AVIATOR over 1400 metres on May 16.

Race four in the first Super-6, this for non-winners of two three-year-olds over 1300 metres, should be won by DREAMCOMETRUE, who was in receipt of a poor ride when finishing third to BALLON D'OR over 1400 metres on June 13.

After missing the break, the three-year-old filly was allowed to run 'miles' wide into the straight and lost second to GRANVILLE GRETA (who renews rivalry) in the final strides as a result.

Now under the care of a different trainer (Steven Todd), DREAMCOMETRUE should get it right from the convenient mark of 53.0kg and Paul 'Country' Francis aboard. She should win at the expense of FOREST FLAME and Walker's mount, WINGS OF HOPE.

The last two races in the first Super-6 should be won by LA MADRINA (knocking at the door) and SIRMANDI, who won recently over the distance (1600 metres). Their respective dangers are SPROUTING WINGS and TECHNOCAT.

FIRST SUPER-6 FANCIES

(1) FEDORA

(2) XQUISITE /DA JACKAL

(3) ITALIANO/STAR NEW VISTA

(4) DREAMCOMETRUE/FOREST FLAME

(5) LA MADRINA/SPOUTING WINGS

(6) SIRMANDI/TECHNOCAT