Little Wasp can go all the way

Orville Clarke, Gleaner Writer

With last Saturday's Derby Day programme producing a number of upsets, the Pick-9 had no takers and the carryover to tomorrow stands at $1.4 million.

The upsets were led by shock Derby winner TECHNOMOTO at 32-1, HERROYALHIGHNESS at 31-1 and ICE CRYSTAL at 19-1.

The Pick-9 will embrace races three to 11, the first Super-6 from race one to six and the late Super-6 from six to 11.

We look at the second Super-6 which gets under way with a 3-y-o maiden condition race over the straight to be contested by 15 starters, including the likely favourite WAGON WHEEL, who failed by a head to catch WAR HERO over 1500 metres last Saturday.

WAGON WHEEL, to be ridden by topline jockey Dane Nelson, should relish the straight, and with most of her opponents not up to scratch, should win from SECRET WEAPON (knocking at the door), the free-running KATHERINETHEGREAT and SKIPPING MICHELE.

The bold front runner LITTLE WASP, now dropped in class, should rebound with a win in the seventh race over 1700 metres for overnight allowance horses. The American-bred 5-y-o mare from the stables of champion trainer Wayne DaCosta beat all barring RAISE A RUCKUS over 1820 metres in open allowance company on May 14, but has worked really well in preparation for this race, galloping seven furlongs in 1:26.2 last Sunday morning.

She should win from BELOW THE WAIST and PRINCE ROHAN. Race eight, Division II of the 3-y-o maiden condition race over the straight five course, should resolve itself into a straight fight between the speedy filly DEFENDIT (working well) and DANCING GOLD, who will relish the straight.

scope for improvement

DEFENDIT, a lightly raced sort to be ridden ridden by champion jockey Omar Walker for trainer Welsh Soutar, has much scope for improvement, and having worked well and the tongue tie now fitted, is preferred to DANCING GOLD.

Briefly, PRINCE OF ARABIA should be rewarded for his consistency by winning the ninth race for the Valbert Marlowe Memorial Trophy ahead of SILENT IMAGE and CRUISER, while down-in-class THE GUV and PASSA PASSA should provide answers for the last two races.

SECOND SUPER-6 FANCIES

(6) WAGON WHEEL/SECRET WEAPON

(7) LITTLE WASP/BELOW THE WAIST

(8) DEFENDIT/DANCING GOLD

(9) PRINCE OF ARABIA/SILENT IMAGE

(10) THE GUV

(11) PASSA PASSA/SHEER BLISS