Stick with fit Scorpion

By Elton Tucker, Assistant Sport Editor

TRAINER ROBERT Nelson's SCORPION looks set to complete a four-timer when he contests today's Caymanas Park feature, the Gladstone 'Puckoo' DeSouza Memorial Cup over 1600 metres for $100,000 claimers.

Ridden by 3kg claimer Valentine McBean, SCORPION made it three-in-a-row on May 26, romping to victory by two lengths. Claimed on March 10 for $100,000 after winning easily over today's distance, SCORPION came back 21 days later on a $120,000 claiming tag and slammed SCOUTMASTER by all of 12 lengths going 1700 metres.

The seven-year-old gelding who was dropped back to $100,000 for his May 26 start, easily beat SUCKIE YACKIE in that event easing down to be two lengths clear at the line after leading by as many as six lengths 400 metres out. The form of that race has worked out well as SUCKIE YACKIE returned on last Saturday's Derby Day programme to whip the higher claiming level by over 12 lengths going 1820 metres.

With trainer Nelson again taking advantage of McBean's 3kg claim, SCORPION should continue his winning ways and pocket the lion's share of the $200,000 purse for owners Ricardo McIntosh and Ian Trowers.

SCORPION should have most to fear from BULLETIN and PAPPARAZZI in the 16-horse feature which will be run as the day's tenth and final race.

BULLETIN celebrated a drop to this claiming level with a four-length victory over SUL EXPRESS going 1820 metres on June 9. The winning time was a very slow 2.05.2 but BULLETIN proved quite a handful for his young rider Devon S. Thomas before going clear in the final 100 metres.

With veteran heavyweight jockey Hubert Bartley now taking the ride BULLETIN, who has shown consistent form over the past three months, is assured of expert handling and he could lower the colours of the ante post favourite.

Interestingly, Bartley who only returned to the saddle recently after a fairly lengthy lay off, will be seeking to make it two-in-a-row in the 'Puckoo' DeSouza Memorial. Last year he piloted home GENERAL TUZ at the very long odds of 20-1. Two of today's contenders also finished in the frame at long odds. SLEWPY'S VALLEY was second at 60-1 and while third-placed RULING TUDOR went off at 14-1.

PAPPARAZZI has been knocking at the door for the past three months after winning over 1300 metres on Valentine's Day. The six-year-old gelding failed to make the frame when fifth of 12 behind BULLETIN on June 9 but remains fit and is not too high in the handicaps at 55kg to prove competitive.

Other firm fancies on the programme which gets underway at noon are ZIRCON and RUDE BOY to complete the day's first double, LADY LASCO in the fourth and SPEED FREAK in the knotty ninth race.

Back to Sport