FLAWLESS TALENT (Richard Mitchell) (right) holding on from MING LEI (Dane Nelson) to win last Saturday's eighth race for maiden fillies over 1100 metres. The winner is owned by Joan Bonner and trained by Peter-John Scully. - Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer
With MAKING OUT scoring a 26-1 upset in the closing race at Caymanas Park on Wednesday, the Pick-9 had no takers and the carryover stands at $1.1 million for tomorrow's meet.
Despite MAKING OUT's upset and a milder one by 9-1 chance NAVAJOJOE, the Super-6 was caught by two punters - each receiving a cool $810,391.
The Pick-9 will embrace races three to 11; the Super-6 from six to 11. We look at the Super-6 which gets under way with a 1400-metre claiming race ($270,000-$250,000) over 1400 metres to be contested by seven starters, including SIMPLE SWEET, MEDICAL ACCOUNT and ARDRIGH, the trio from which the winner should emerge.
SIMPLE SWEET, who enjoyed good winning form in the latter part of last season, winning twice in fine style, looks tempting at the weights with favourite rider Paul 'Country' Francis again in the saddle.
Preparation
The five-year-old mare from the stables of Everal Francis has worked well in preparation for the race and, despite that unplaced effort behind upset winner ALFALLO over 1500 metres on February 28, will be better for the run and should win from consistent MEDICAL ACCOUNT.
CLASSICAL BULLET, who finished a fair fifth to HE'S A DREAMER over 1500 metres on March 7 after stumbling at the start, reverts to an ideal trip (1200 metres) in the seventh race for maiden three-year-olds over the round five course.
The dark bay colt from the stables of 14-time champion trainer Philip Feanny caught the eye at exercise last Monday morning when galloping five furlongs in 1:01.3 and, despite the claims of CIO MOTO, NEPTUNE and the speedy FEE FI FOE, CLASSICAL BULLET, should win under title-chasing jockey Paul Francis.
The talented imported filly LITTLE WASP (working exceptionally well) cannot be opposed in the eighth race for three-year-olds over 1200 metres, while it should be the promising HONEYOFALADY (Winston Griffiths up) ahead of PROGRESSIVE and the well-forward debutante NEW KINGSTON with champion jockey Omar Walker aboard in the ninth.
Then, take the reigning champion sprinter, AHWHOFAH, to rebound at the expense of recent conqueror MEDICAL REPORT and MUCHO GUSTO in the 10th race for the Arthur Jones Memorial Cup (feature) over 1200 metres, and stable-companion SKETEL to win at the expense of the speedy TIMOTHY SCOTT and THANKSWITHA-SMILE in the closing race over the straight five course.
SUPER-6 FANCIES
(6) SIMPLE SWEET/
MEDICAL ACCOUNT
(7) CLASSICAL BULLET/
NEPTUNE
(8) LITTLE WASP
(9) HONEYOFALADY/
PROGRESSIVE
(10) AHWHOFAH/
MEDICAL REPORT
(11) SKETEL/TIMOTHY SCOTT
Take Michel Le Bon at Newbury
Racing is on at Newbury, Kelso, Lingfield and Gowran Park in Ireland today. There is also Flat racing from Fairview and Greyville in South Africa.
Meanwhile, KAUTO STAR, ridden by Ruby Walsh for champion trainer Paul Nicholls, highlighted the recent Cheltenham Festival with an impressive victory in the $47 million Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase over 3 miles and 2 1/2 furlongs last Friday.
Today at Newbury, Walsh and Nicholls should successfully team up to win the sixth race (Novices Hurdle) over three miles and 110 yards with 4-5 ante-post favourite, MICHEL LE BON.
WRITER'S TIPS: (1) Picafight (2) Rexana (3) Ramanzina (4) Iachimo (5) Residencia (6) Michel Le Bon(7) Strip That Tiger (8) Dove Hill(9) Keep Ringing (10) Drive On Regardless (11) Fistral Beach(12) Razor Royale (13) Pink West (14) Matchbook (15) Oh Braga (16) Full Of Dreams (17) Youluckyman (18) Obe Gold (19) J'y Vole (20) Monn Royal (21) Magical Meg (22) Le Roi Rouge (23) Old Romney (24) Hotel Hilamar (25) Herecomesstanley (26) Cyclone Season (27) King Barry (28) Bell Island (29) Bally WallPost time 7:40 a.m.