Back At You for CTL series

Orville Clarke, Gleaner Writer

Having won two races in the CTL Claiming Series ($250,000 and less), BACK AT YOU is tipped to win a third at Caymanas Park today when she faces seven opponents in Race No. 3 of the second series, over 1300 metres.

Trained by Deon Facey, BACK AT YOU ran out a decisive winner of Race No. 2 in the second series on August 25, this over 1500 metres, quickening away from subsequent winner THREE QUEENS leaving the quarter pole to beat her by two lengths.

Although failing to follow up behind LA'S DANCER in the Reca Trophy over 1400 metres in better company (claiming $350,000) on September 4 - finishing 15 lengths seventh - BACK AT YOU should appreciate the drop in class.

In good condition

Indeed, the seven-year-old mare by Kammtarra out of Back Flak returns to her happy hunting ground (claiming $250,000) and despite the claims of recent winner, MR. BIGSHOT, and BDELLIUM, both up in class but very fit, along with the free-running VENICE MELESSA, the choice has to be BACK AT YOU under in-form Richie Mitchell.

She reports in good condition, is not too high in the weights with 55.0kg and should chalk up her fourth win from 17 starts this season.

A more interesting race is definitely the 3-y-o and up open allowance over 1200 metres to be contested by 11 starters, including THE CHIEF, THE GUARDIAN and MR. SKILL - all winners last time out.

In addition to that trio, others expected to figure prominently are BRASH & SASSY, MACHISMO, SHANGHAI PASS, SKITTLE QUEEN and not least, MINISTEROFJUSTICE, who beat all barring Triple Crown winner MARK MY WORD on September 11.

With an abundance of good form present, this race should go down to the wire.

Speed is strongly represented by MR. SKILL, THE CHIEF, BRASH & SASSY and to a lesser extent, topweight SHANGHAI PASS.

Genuine closers

If the speedsters run themselves into the ground, genuine closers such as THE GUARDIAN, MACHISMO, HAIL THE GENIUS, SKITTLE QUEEN and MINISTEROFJUSTICE could get up in time to win.

In a really tough race, MACHISMO, SKITTLE QUEEN and BRASH & SASSY look tempting at the weights, and the winner should come from this trio. The Anthony Nunes-trained MACHISMO, under in-form apprentice Aaron Chatrie, gets the nod from the convenient mark of 51.0kg.

I also like SINGINGINTHERAIN to stave off LATIN KING in the fourth race; MARVELOUS LADY in the fifth; SABINA to go one better at the expense of SHINING GOLD in the sixth for two-year-olds; LIL' TIGER in the eighth; and CLASSICAL BABE in the closing Alex's Imports Limited 'Dig Out' Handicap.