Tomorrow's Lotto Classic race day, sponsored by Supreme Ventures Limited, offers no carry-overs in the exotic bets, but with 12 races scheduled, finding the winning combinations won't be easy.
The programme will be highlighted by the 76th running of the Lotto Classic for the Governor's Cup over 2,000 metres to be contested by 12 native-bred three-year-olds, including Post to Post 2000 Guineas runner-up ORPHEUS (Shane Ellis up), stable-companion BIGDADDYKOOL, (Linton Steadman), CHACE THE GREAT (Jevanne Erwin) and the vastly improved grey gelding MR. DOITBETTA to be ridden by promising apprentice Hakeem Pottinger.
The above-mentioned quartet should decide the outcome as they vie for the major share of the $3 million purse.
We look at the first of the two Super-6 races, beginning with the Lotto Championship Trophy race ($180,000 claiming) over 1,300 metres to be contested by nine starters, including proven campaigner EL CLIENTE, to be ridden by 3.0kg claiming apprentice Pottinger for trainer Wilfred Chin.
Although failing to justify favouritism when finishing 3 3/4 lengths fourth to MANDEYA over 1,200 metres on May 14, EL CLIENTE has been eased in the weights for this race (down 3.0kg), and remembering his runaway win over EUSEBIA on March 12, should have the beating of CLEARLY OURS and BURNING MEDIC.
Next on the programme is the Lotto Multiplier Trophy (claiming $250,000 $210,000) over 1,820 metres, in which seven will run. The field includes top contenders BATIDOR DE MUNDO and ABOVE THE RADAR, both of whom have won several times over this circular course, as well as the noted front-runner PLAY STATION, who will have to be caught.
The one best equipped to win is the Robert Darby-trained BATIDOR DE MUNDO, with in-form Robert Halledeen aboard. The six-year-old son of Natural Selection has been a model of consistency, failing by a neck to beat GO TRAIN over this trip on March 2. His last win in November was achieved on a $350,000 claiming tag over a mile and, with nothing outstanding in the line-up, should take the honours.
In the third race, the $1 million Lotto Juvenile Stakes over 600 metres straight for maiden two-year-olds, all five starters will be racing for the first time and with VERY CLASSIC to be ridden by champion jockey Shane Ellis for trainer Anthony Nunes, and the Dennis Lee-trained LADY FAYE (Aaron Chatrie up), having pleased at exercise, it should come down to these two.
Preference is for VERY CLASSIC, a grey filly by Western Classic out of Verity who galloped 1:01.4 from the gates at exercise last Saturday, the last three in 35.0.
FLYING MIRACLE, who finished fourth to LADY BELRIDGE over a mile on a $450,000 claiming tag last Saturday, this, after missing the break and running very wide into the straight, should rebound on a $350,000 tag in the fourth race over 1,400 metres for the Lotto Dash Trophy.
The six-year-old gelding carries a mere 51.0kg for the services of promising 3.0kg claiming apprentice Bebeto Harvey and should make amends for last week's misadventure. His main dangers in a 10-strong field are recent winner OUR CREATION and HAILEY'S COMET.
The last two races in the first SUPER-6 should be won by GOLD SCREW (Wesley Henry up) and RUBY ROSE, with Ellis now taking the ride. Their respective dangers are NASDAQ PRINCESS and WONDER GIRL.
FIRST SUPER-6 FANCIES
(1) EL CLIENTE/CLEARLY OURS
(2) BATIDOR DE MUNDO/
ABOVE THE RADAR
(3) VERY CLASSIC/
LADY FAYE
(4) FLYING MIRACLE
(5) GOLD SCREW/NASDAQ PRINCESS
(6) RUBY ROSE/WONDER GIRL