Ride with Young Boy Eddy

Trainer Patrick Taylor’s YOUNG BOY EDDY can give Sunrise-Six players a winning start on tomorrow’s 10-race programme at Caymanas Park. The opening race is over 1100 metres and has attracted seven four-year-old colts and geldings. At first glance, and on past form, RESURGENCE, to be ridden by former champion jockey Omar Walker, looks to be the obvious choice, but it will be of some concern to race fans that he has not been seen on the exercise track since December 26, when he was declared a late non-starter because of lameness.

On that score, we have to bypass him and look at YOUNG BOY EDDY and ZILLOW, who have both been working very well and should decide top spot. YOUNG BOY EDDY strode 1200m in 1:20.1 on January 16 while ZILLOW did the same work in 1:20.0 on January 21.

YOUNG BOY EDDY showed admirable improvement when fitted with a visor for the first time last December 26 and will now run in blinkers. After swerving at the start, he led for almost 1200m in a 1400m race and still held on for sixth in 1:28.4, behind JAMAL JAMES who won in 1:27.3. The odds then, 19-1, suggest that the connections were not convinced that they could have beaten non-winners of two in December. However, tomorrow should be very different. He has the speed to go in front and should not be caught.

SUBBIE is given another chance to come good in Race Two over 1820 metres. He was a bit disappointing when going off the warm 4-5 favourite on January 19 going 1400 metres but is now given an ease in the handicaps, and Dane Nelson remains on board. He should win ahead of DADA’S NALA and REGAL PROSPECTOR.

Race Three is a very knotty 1600 metres event for five-year-olds and up non-winners of two where REASONS, FIRST SELECTION, and SHAUNA CRUISE are the main contenders. REASONS was behind SHAUNA CRUISE and FIRST SELECTION over 1400 metres on January 5, but at tomorrow’s handicaps, the five-year-old gelding is considered a cinch. There is a 10kg swing in the case of FIRST SELECTION and 9kg where SHAUNA CRUISE is concerned. Shane Richardson, a 4kg claiming apprentice, will ride REASONS.

The fourth is the Mercury sprint for three-year-old colts with designs of at least getting into the 2000 Guineas. JUST TRICK ME and ROY ROGERS have already shown some form while competing against some of the best in their age group and should decide top spot in this 1000-metre race. The latter showed good early speed when fitted with blinkers on January 12 and will be a danger to all. However, the handicaps are overwhelmingly in favour of JUST TRICK ME as he enters the race with just 51kg, courtesy of Christopher Mamdeen’s 3kg claim. He has already beaten ROY ROGERS over the straight, and with the 3kg advantage and the blinkers refitted, will be difficult to deny. GARRINCHA won in fast time over 1400m on January 5 and is the choice for Race 5. He is improving rapidly and seems headed for the top. Then take the well-bred SHE’S ON WINGS in the sixth and final.

SUNRISE-SIX SELECTIONS

1. YOUNG BOY EDDY

2. SUBBIE

3. REASONS

4. JUST TRICK ME

5. GARRINCHA

6. SHE’S ON WINGS