Early hat-trick for new apprentices

Raddesh Roman is poised to become the first from the new batch of apprentices to ride a winner when he hops aboard HALOGRAM SHADOW in the opening race of the Sunrise-Six tomorrow at Caymanas Park.

The evergreen nine-year-old drops down a level to confront $350,000 claimers over 1000 metres round. When last at this level, on August 11, HALOGRAM SHADOW slammed his rivals by over two lengths going 1200 metres. He is back with the identical weight, courtesy of the apprentice's 4kg claim, and even at this reduced distance and an inexperienced rider, should prove very hard to beat.

Another apprentice, Tevin Foster, is tipped to take the second race aboard MILAGRO. Anthony Nunes' four-year-old colt has also come down in class, from $250,000 claiming to $180,000, and has proven to be a specialist in the past over 1000 metres round. In his last four starts he has won once and passed the post second twice over the distance. On September 1, MILAGRO was, however, disqualified and placed out of the race after finishing second to KING WITHIN.

In his win at this claiming group on July 18, MILAGRO was early with the pace before pulling clear late and tomorrow's race should be run in similar fashion. He has the speed to stay with likely leader ROYAL GIRL and prove strongest in the final 100 metres.

Thirteen maiden three-year-olds will travel 1400 metres in Race Three. Recent form is very scarce but CRUCIAL'S TREASURE who has had two promising runs, at the end of August and mid-September, is the selection. The filly was close to 1:13.3 1200 metres splits in a 1500 metres race on August 25 and showed admirable versatility when placing seventh by three and three-quarter lengths to SWABY BABY going 1000 metres straight on September 15. Early pace will be crucial in tomorrow's race and Christopher Mamdeen could make it a hat-trick for the new apprentices if he can get his mount out early from the number 13 post position.

Eight will face the starter in a knotty fourth race over 1000 metres round. MR VIGOROUS won easily over the distance on August 18 but is now up 12lbs and with matching speed present in EXHILARATE he will not have an uncontested lead. My selection is fellow three-year-old EL PROFESOR. To be ridden by champion jockey Omar Walker, the gelding has the pace to stay with the front runners before sprinting clear in the latter stages of the race.

SUNRISE-6 SELECTIONS

1. HOLOGRAM SHADOW

2. MILAGRO

3. CRUCIAL'S TREASURE

4. EL PROFESOR

5. TWILIGHT PRINCESS

6. CASUAL DRINK