Follow Walker, DaCosta all day

Ainsley Walters, Gleaner Writer

THE champion pair of jockey Omar Walker and trainer Wayne DaCosta might have started 2011 on a rather quiet note with one winner, JET SETTER, in last Saturday's ninth event.

However, the duo is set to light up the track tomorrow afternoon with DaCosta having a sure-fire three-timer and Walker on six live rides which read like winners.

The champion jockey won't lose aboard DaCosta's triple - SEARCHING FOR GOLD in the second, REGIONAL CHARMER in the fourth and EXCELLENCE in the fifth.

Walker also looks good aboard ROYAL VICTRESS to open the 10-race card whereas his other hot rides are FLAGAMAN in the seventh and PAT ON CALL in the eighth.

Meanwhile, Anthony Nunes' MACHISMO should make amends in the 1100-metre overnight allowance and repay his backers who had fancied him when he lost as a 4-5 favourite to JAYLEN on December 27.

After chasing home HAIL THE GENIUS at 1100 metres on November 27, MACHISMO was installed favourite to beat JAYLEN and company at 1200 metres on Boxing Day.

Punters using HAIL THE GENIUS' December 4 grade one Gold Cup victory over SAINT CECELIA, made MACHISMO one of the day's bankers on Boxing Day.

He was competing among overnight allowance horses, two classes lower than grade one where his recent conqueror, HAIL THE GENIUS, had won.

However, MACHISMO ran smack into super-fit JAYLEN, who closed from off the pace to leave him standing a furlong and a half out when they both pounced on the leaders early in the stretch run.

JAYLEN's six-length victory, however, was no fluke. The Fitzroy Glispie-trained runner was coming off a strong second to down-in-class BRASH & SASSY at 1000 metres straight, losing by a nose in a tight three-way photo which included third-place SUPER DAVE.

Therefore, MACHISMO should not be chastised too much for his six-length loss to JAYLEN in which he lost second on the line to MAJOR MAYER.

He returns at his favourite distance, 1100 metres, and should stalk the pace down the backstretch before pouncing on expected leaders such as Wayne DaCosta's COMMANDER ZERO, who returns off a five-month lay-up.

COMMANDER ZERO has speed but has not impressed at exercise and will have WHEEL N DEAL to contend with on the lead.

With others such as THE BAND IS LOOSE and CLASSICAL BULLET around to ensure an honest pace, MACHISMO's strong finish should have him finishing best in the eight-horse field.

CAPTION: SHARRUKIN, with Dane Nelson riding, streaks home a lonely winner - all of nine lengths ahead of the favourite, QUIET KNIGHT (Omar Walker) - in the McKay Security & Consultants Limited Trophy Claiming event, race No.10, for four-year-old and up at Caymanas Park last week Saturday. - Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer