Bank on Naturally Evil

Orville Clarke, Gleaner Writer

With horses such as SIR FREDERICK (33-1), MISS MAY (12-1) and JAVINE (7-1) providing the upsets at Caymanas Park on Wednesday, both the Pick-9 and first Super-6 offer carryovers.

The Pick-9, which embraces races two to 10, has $1.6 million in the kitty, while the first Super-6, offers a $978,914.00 carryover.

We look at the first Super-6, which commences in the first race for native bred two-year-olds (maiden special) over 600 metres straight.

It has attracted six starters, including the well-forward newcomers GOLD PRICE and CHEERS, to be ridden by Shane Ellis and champion jockey Dane Nelson respectively, and MOM RULES to be ridden by leading jockey Omar Walker.

The Lorenzo Robinson-owned, trained and bred GOLD PRICE has looked the sharpest of the three at exercise, galloping three furlongs from the gate in 35.3 on Monday morning and looks the right choice on the basis of that work.

Next on the programme is a three-y-o and up high claming race over 1500 metres to be contested by eight starters, including top contenders SPARKLE HAVEN, TANTALOO, both very fit.

The Patrick Chang-trained filly SPARKLE HAVEN beat TANTALOO by a length in a hard-fought contest when they last met over 1400 metres on June 5 and TANTALOO has paid tribute to the form with a win over this trip on June 26.

Down to two fillies

It will more than likely come down to the two fillies. Both have worked really well, especially the Wayne DaCosta-trained TANTALOO, who galloped six furlongs in an eye-popping 1:12.4 last Saturday morning.

SPARKLE HAVEN (Dick Cardenas up), however, is 1.0kg better off at the weights and is given the edge over TANTALOO with Dane Nelson aboard.

The fleet-footed LESTERAE, with champion apprentice Shamaree Muir up, is poised to make all over his pet distance of 1200 metres in the third race for $250,000 - $210,000 claimers.

Trained by Kevin Brivette, LESTERAE faces what amounts to his easiest task for some time and should emulate his March 2 course win over IMPERIAL FORTUNE on a $350,000 claiming tag. JUSTIN ON FIRE, now dropped in class with Nelson aboard, looks his principal danger.

AUDRE'S BLESSING, who has been knocking at the door in recent months, is tipped to go one better in the fourth race over 1500 metres for four-year-olds and up (non-winners of two).

The consistent filly from the stables of Wilfred Chin has finished second to WESTERN BULL and VIBES MASTER, respectively in her last two races and with connections going for the useful 3.0kg claiming apprentice Renardo McNaughton, the hint should be taken. It is worth mentioning that AUDRE'S BLESSING won her only race over this trip last Boxing Day and should rebound at the expense of THE REAL RHYTHM.

Close out the first Super-6 with the lightly-weighted but improving NATURALLY EVIL (Paul Francis up) to turn the tables on recent conqueror PETE'SWILDONE in the fifth race over 1400 metres, then take SOON COME (Lasix administered) with Rayan Wilson aboard to lead home MEDICAL CAT and TOP RANKING in the sixth race over 1400 metres for maiden four-year-olds and up.

FIRST SUPER-6 FANCIES

(1) GOLD PRICE/CHEERS

(2) SPARKLE HAVEN/TANTALOO

(3) LESTERAE/JUSTIN ON FIRE

(4) AUDRE'S BLESSING/THE REAL RHYTHM

(5) NATURALLY EVIL

(6) SOON COME/MEDICAL CAT