By Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer
Jockey Leo Miller aboard 5-2 favourite TOM CAT looks back at the front running FRENCH MINISTER (Phillip Clunis) after disposing of her in deep stretch to win the fifth race over 1400 metres at Caymanas Park last Saturday TOM CAT was one of two winners for trainer Lawrence Freemantle and Brazilonia. - Michael Sloley /Freelance Photographer
AFTER ELUDING punters for five consecutive race days, the Pick-9 is poised to top the $2 million mark at Caymanas Park tomorrow, thanks to a carryover of $1.48 million.
The Super-6, meanwhile, has taken out a new lease on life since boosted by a guaranteed minimum of $250,000 from August 1. Since then, the payout has consistently surpassed the $500,000 mark and tomorrow it should be no different.
Focusing on the Super-6 tomorrow, it commences in the fifth race on the card, the $415,000 Supreme Feeds Trophy over 1100 metres for native bred maiden two-year-olds.
Nine starters have been declared but from all indications it should come down to a three-cornered tussle among SEAGAR, SHARAPOVA and PERFECT TEN, all of whom have shown promise.
The one I like best is the Percy Hussey-trained SEAGAR who beat all barring HEARTOFAMAVERICK over the round five course when making his debut on July 19.
Beaten a length that day, the son of Law Of The Sea out of Fight For Pleasure has caught the eye at exercise since and despite the sound good claims of SHARAPOVA (working well) and PERFECT TEN, who chased home EMMVEEPEE over 800 metres, the choice has to be SEAGAR with four-time champion jockey Charles Hussey aboard.
Next is a circular nine claiming ($320,000 - $290,000) in which EMPERADOR gets the nod over MR. VIGOROUS and GILNOCK.
The Dennis Lee-trained EMPERADOR was far from disgraced when finishing a fair fourth to DR. R.S.F. over 1300 metres in the Emancipation Day Trophy on August 1 and given the longer distance, the five-year-old gelding, who has beaten better in the not too distant past, should prove hard to beat with a mere 50.5kg and former champion Wesley Henry aboard.
His principal danger must be MR. VIGOROUS whose last victory was recorded over the distance on May 31 and has been fairly consistent since.
Back to form MR. LONGINO made all convincingly at the expense of ROYAL FLIGHT and recent winner ZEEDON over 1400 metres recently and is tipped to stave off his old rivals over the extended distance of a mile.
The last three races should be won by THAT'S MY NUMBER (knocking at the door), JACK DE PRINCE (too classy for rivals) and LADY FAIZAH (on the upgrade).
Their respective dangers are consistent DUE RESPECT in the 8th, JOHNNY'S KING in the 9th, the $550,000 Jockey Club Stakes for native bred three-year-olds, and SIPPIN CHAMPAGNE in the closing race for the JLA Trophy.
