PEKING CRUZ to get off the mark on debut

Twilight-6 players (Races 5-10) will be severely tested in the opening event for $250,000 claimers as they go after the guaranteed $750,000 prize tomorrow.

MINNIFIA won over 1600 metres in the claiming group on Ash Wednesday and appears set to repeat going 1700 metres on this occasion. The eight-year-old mare will, however, face the tough ten-year-old mare MONEYNEVERSLEEP who could easily lower her colours. The latter is seeking her third win in a row after being claimed by trainer Anthony Dixon for owner Ernest Thompson on January 1 for $180,000. The consistent mare has not been spotted on the exercise track since then but last year she faced the starter 17 times scoring four wins.

FITNESS FACTOR

Both horses have not faced each other recently but they raced on the same day on November 25, last year, in separate claiming groups and ran similar splits with MONEYNEVERSLEEP winning by four lengths in $180,000 and MINNIFIA, third by 14 lengths in $350,000 claiming. Fitness

will be a big factor and MONEYNEVERSLEEP, though campaigning at lower levels recently could just have the edge in this department.

Race Six over 1000 metres for is tailored for the well-bred Richard Azan-trained PEKING CRUZ. The three-year-old colt should get off the mark first time of asking as he is out of the winner-producing mare Patty Girl. The mare has in the recent past produced winners such as Fedora and Superbolt who clocked 1:06.3 for 1100 metres last December.

The seventh race should be won by the speedy SERGEANT RECKLESS from the Philip barn. The filly last ran in the Hotline Stakes on February 24 and was not disgraced in finishing fourth by three lengths to Band Of Gold, while clocking 1.14.1 for 1200 metres. They go 1000 metres round tomorrow and this is a weaker field. The Storm Craft - Code Star filly will have her way on the lead and run out an easy winner.

Race Eight is a maiden contest over 1200 metres and everything points to a win by the Shane Ellis-ridden PEGGY'S VISION. She has been knocking at the door since the turn of the year and his now weighted to go all the way after going down by just under two lengths to Ackee Pie on February 24 in a 1400 metres race.

The last two races should go to the consistent RASHKA and the very fast, down in class CRUCIAL APPEAL.

TWILIGHT-6 SELECTIONS

5. MONEYNEVERSLEEP

6. PEKING CRUZ

7. SERGEANT RECKLESS

8. PEGGY'S VISION

9. RAKSHA

10. CRUCIAL APPEAL