Following last Saturday's aborted race meet, in which the Pick-9 was paid on the five races completed, the carryover to tomorrow's meet stands at a cool $5.8 million, the same at which it started last Saturday.
The pick-9 will be conducted from race three to 11, the first Super-6 from race one to six, the late Super-6 from race six to 11.
We look at the first Super-6, which commences with a restricted-allowance race over 1100 metres for four-year-olds and up, to be contested by seven starters.
The field includes top contenders ZACKONTHEATTACK, a consistent 4-y-o colt which recently changed stables; FRANGIPANI and the speedy CRUCIAL, who will have to be caught with customary jockey Rayan Wilson riding for trainer Gordon Lewis. ZACKONTHEATTACK, who recently moved from trainer Gary Subratie's stables to trainer Welsh Soutar, is given the edge with Shane Ellis now aboard.
The second race over 1820 metres for four-year-olds and up will more than likely resolve itself into a straight fight between the bold front runner SPARKLING MICHAELA, who loves the distance, and XQUISITE CHOICE who should go very well in the hands of champion jockey Dane Nelson. It promises to be close between the two, but XQUISITE CHOICE catches my fancy.
The Gary Subratie-trained BOLD AVIATOR has had two near misses in recent months and is now a firm pick to win the third race over 1400 metres with Aaron Chatrie replacing Clive Lynch.
Race four, the Jamaica Racing Commission's Jockey Training School event over 1200 metres (maiden four-year-olds and up) will be contested by 15 starters. The field includes the three female trainees - Natalie Berger aboard IDON'TKNOW, Melissa Ward aboard SPORTING CLAY and GIRSHOM with Andree Powell up. AWESOME ROCKET to win from GEORGIAMYLOVE is my idea of the outcome.
The last two races should be won by 2000 Guineas hero ALI BABA, who is unbeaten in four starts this season, and the well-forward debutant FIFTYSHADESOFRAY with Nelson riding for trainer Richard Azan.
Their respective dangers are COMMANDING CHIEF (working well) to provide an acid test for ALI BABA in the Mark My Word Trophy (5th race) and ARIZONA GOLD in the sixth.
(1) ZACKONTHEATTACK/CRUCIAL
(2) XQUISITE CHOICE/SPARKLING MICHAELA
(3) BOLD AVIATOR
(4) AWESOME ROCKET/GEORGIAMYLOVE
(5) ALIBABA
(6) FIFTYSHADESOFRAY