Nasatol ready for win No. 31

OLD STAGER NASATOL can notch win number 31 from 103 starts when he goes in tomorrow's opener over 1300 metres for $550,000 claimers, at Caymanas Park.

The event is the first in the opening Super-6 race on the eleven-race New Year's Day programme which will be highlighted by the running of the Caymanas Track Limited Fan Appreciation Day Trophy for overnight horses going 2200 metres, the 1300 metres New Year's Day Trophy for non-winners of three and the McKay Security and Consultants Limited Trophy over 1820 metres for $180,000 claimers.

NASATOL was far from disgraced when finishing fourth by four-and-a-half lengths to MEDICAL REPORT on December 15. Both carried the same weight, 53kg, for that 1100-metre contest, but NASATOL will now tote 49kg, courtesy of apprentice Conrad Ellis' 4kg claim. MEDICAL REPORT was declared to carry 55kg, but apprentice Doushane Gordon will slip back 2kg. The danger to both is recent winner THE CHIEF. Claimed for $550,000 on November 12, THE CHIEF showed marked improvement when seen next, scoring an all-the-way win over open allowance company, by just two lengths going 1400 metres. That race was won in a fast 1:25.3.

Tomorrow THE CHIEF will not have things his own way on the headlines and should fall prey to one of the late finishers with the well-handicapped 10-year-old NASATOL given the nod.

Invictus improving

Race two looks tailored for the improving Anthony Nunes-trained INVICTUS. By Traditional - Miss U Doc, INVICTUS has been running on late in his races and showed improvement when second by two lengths to the Richard Azan-trained Erasmo over 1600 metres on December 4. Erasmo closed well late for second in the rich Supreme Ventures 2-y-o Stakes on December 27 and so INVICTUS must be a good thing among claimers tomorrow.

The third event is a knotty contest for non-winners of two over 1500 metres. OCHUN, GRAND CABARET and LESTERAE all have strong claims. The last named appears a bit heavy at 56kg, but has been very consistent. The four-year-old gelding was no match for Ergasia on December 22, losing by five lengths over 1600 metres, but should now use his superior pace to run his rivals into the ground.

CALL FOR A CAT is a banker in race four over 1000 metres. The filly is actually a winner among maidens. She won by just over two lengths going the distance on September 28, but was subsequently disqualified. On Monday she showed little interest when installed an even-money favourite, but that effort can be easily dismissed. The distance, 1400 metres, was much too far and she ran without her customary blinkers. Now back in blinkers and Trevor Simpson again on board, the race should be for second.

Gold Cup winner HAIL THE GENIUS should not be opposed in race five, a 1200- metre race for open allowance horses. The seven-year-old gelding is in the form of his life and should get the better of CLASSY PROSPECT. A head separated the two on November 13, but HAIL THE GENIUS is now 1kg better off at the weights and will use his superior finish to get the better of the four-year-old.

Close all Pick-6 bets with the Richard Azan SAN ANTONIO. He has shown little in his two starts to date but is bred for speed, Western Genius - What'salltheruckus by Bold Ruckus, and is tipped to get his act together tomorrow and win ahead of SPLITTING IMAGE and RAISING ASHLEY.

SUPER-6 TIPS

1. NASATOL/MEDICAL REPORT

2. INVICTUS

3. LESTERAE/OCHUN

4. CALL FOR A CAT

5. HAIL THE GENIUS/CLASSY PROSPECT

6. SAN ANTONIO/SPLITTING IMAGE