Big carryovers on Pre-Xmas programme

Orville Clarke, Gleaner Writer

Today's pre-Xmas 10-race programme at Caymanas Park will feature the annual renewal of the Paul Newman Memorial Trophy over 1600 metres, but with the exotic bets offering attractive carryovers from Wednesday, this is where the focus of attention will be.

There are carryovers in both Super-6s, as well as the Pick-9. The second Super-6 from race six to 11 offers a whopping $5.1 million, while the first Super-6 from race two to seven offers $825,469. The Pick-9 embracing races three to 11 boasts an attractive carryover of $3.9 million.

Turning to the Paul Newman Memorial Trophy, LIKKLE BIT, with champion jockey Omar Walker aboard, looks the one to beat in the $450,000-$400,000 race to be contested by 12 starters.

The six-year-old gelding from the stables of Victor Williams went down fighting by half a length to THE VALIDICTORIAN over this trip when last raced on November 19, but had earlier won over the distance on September 10 when slamming GUAN YU by 3¹/² lengths.

That was achieved on a $600,000 claiming tag, and although beaten in four subsequent races, LIKKLE BIT ran well enough in the last two to be given the nod from a favourable high number draw at post position 10.

Stiff opposition

With his fitness not in doubt, LIKKLE BIT is not too high in the scales with 56.0kg to resume winning ways.

Still, he can expect stiff opposition from several of his 11 opponents, including PRIME MINISTER, GLOBAL WARMING, BULLET LINE and GUAN YU.

Although rounding into good form, PRIME MINISTER usually reserves his best for two-turn races, but GLOBAL WARMING has beaten better in the not-too-distant past and should be thereabouts at the finish. GUAN YU, though useful, looks held by LIKKLE BIT on the strength of their September 10 performance.

BULLET LINE, however, was not beaten far in sixth place by MOJITO JAM over 1400 metres on December 14. She will relish the additional furlong and with bustling Richie Mitchell replacing female apprentice Georgina Sergeon aboard the late-kicking 5-y-o mare from the Harry Parsard stables, could make it close.

However, I am expecting LIKKLE BIT, with his good strong pace, to hold the fast-finishing BULLET LINE at bay, with GLOBAL WARMING and PRIME MINISTER completing the superfecta.

Other firm fancies on the card are SACHIN in the first race, SHE'S SO SHY in the fourth, down in class HE'S A DREAMER in the sixth, recent winner RIO COBRE to repeat in the seventh and REMEMBER ME to catch DALLA FIFTY in the nightpan.