Zi Beast all the way

MR AMBASSADOR has not rewarded his connections since being claimed for $550,000 on November 15 last year, but all that should change tomorrow in Race Two, the opening event of the day's Sunrise-6.

The six-year-old gelding last won at that level on November 1, 2017, and has now been dropped to $450,000 claiming to tackle six rivals over 1200 metres. He will be seeking to deny LIKE A LADY her fifth win in six starts and gets the perfect distance to do so. MR AMBASSADOR has been carefully prepared to meet tomorrow's engagement and is more effective over the distance than the very fast LIKE A LADY. She did win over 1200 metres on March 31, but was coming back to the field in the final 200 metres, and MR AMBASSADOR has the pace to stay close before pouncing late.

Nine four-year-olds will contest Race Three, a 1200-metre event for non-winners of three and ZI BEAST should go all the way. On June 30, ZI BEAST, competing against similar company, led for 900 metres of an 1100 metres race before being nabbed in the final 100 metres. Some observers believe that he was hurriedly ridden in the first half of the race, and a more patient ride will see him finishing well in this field.

Fastest in the Field

ZI BEAST, who will again be piloted by leading rider Anthony Thomas, looked the winner 400 metres out when seven lengths clear of the field. The four-year-old colt is by far the fastest in the field, and Thomas, with that experience behind him, is expected to reserve the colt in the early stages before unleashing him in the final 300 metres.

Race Four is Division II of the third event, and STAR, who clocked 1:13.1 when placing fifth by two lengths to Pakman on April 25, is the firm choice. STAR won over the distance among non-winners of two on March 21 and was not disgraced in his two subsequent races at the higher level. In fact, last time out, the handicaps were decidedly against him. He has now received a slight ease in the weights and can go all the way.

OBAMA GIRL, who was disqualified out of the eighth race after a weight breach on June 30, after passing the post first, is back in tomorrow's fifth race over 1400 metres. She won impressively, but with the dark cloud over the victory, I will look elsewhere for the winner, and TREASURE TRAIN, to be ridden by Dick Cardenas, is the selection.

TREASURE TRAIN threw in a below par effort behind OBAMA GIRL but before that, had been showing consistent form. On June 2 the three-year-old filly lost by just a head in a 1600-metre race after leading for 1200 metres. Cardenas was aboard that day and with the visiting Panamanian jockey back in the saddle, the hint should be taken.

SUNRISE-6 SELECTIONS

2. MR AMBASSADOR

3. ZI BEAST

4. STAR

5. TREASURE TRAIN

6. HILLY'S HALO

7. RAY RAY