Cold Ground can catch them

Orville Clarke, Gleaner Writer

Having finished second to unbeaten COMMANDING CHIEF in the July 2 Boom St Leger, COLD GROUND should make a successful transition to sprinting when he contests the 3-y-o restricted allowance II feature for the Knutsford Park Cup over 1200 metres at Caymanas Park today.

Twelve have been declared for the non-winners of two event, and with nothing really standing out, COLD GROUND should use his class and catch them in deep stretch.

Trainer Patrick Lynch has secured the services of leading all-time jockey Winston Griffiths aboard the bay colt by Storm Craft out of the Liver Stand mare Pfeiffer who, contrary to popular belief, will not find the distance too sharp.

COLD GROUND also finished a good second to ERASMO in the Governor's Cup (Lotto Classic) on May 21, while he was unplaced behind runaway winner TECHNOMOTO in the Cal's Jamaica Derby on June 11.

Lynch's charge has been busy at exercise in preparation for this trophy, breezing five furlongs on the round course in 1:02.1 on August 11 in the company of stable-companion ANNIE OAKLEY, a nice refresher for today's race.

Stiff opposition

COLD GROUND can expect stiff opposition from SIR SOUTH, who has finished second in his last two races, RED THOMAS, QUEEN ADIRA (working well) RHINESTONE COWBOY and THE PRIMEMERLINIAN under leading jockey Dick Cardenas.

Both SIR SOUTH (Omar Walker up) and THE PRIMEMERLINIAN are expected to make their bids from behind, but I fear they will be outfinished by the late-kicking COLD GROUND, who boasts a more powerful turn of foot,

That could leave the Noel Ennevor-trained RHINESTONE COWBOY as the principal danger to COLD GROUND, based on his good third to the fleet-footed BLENDER over the round five course on July 30 when installed a 2-1 favourite.

The son of Aliases returns on a convenient mark by virtue of apprentice Fabion Jones' 4.0kg claiming allowance and should give a good account of himself, possibly from in front.

COLD GROUND, however, is a firm fancy to win, but punters could use RHINESTONE COWBOY, SIR SOUTH, THE PRIMEMERLINIAN and QUEEN ADIRA in Hi-5 wagering.

Meanwhile, the Pick-9, having eluded punters for an eighth consecutive raceday on Saturday, boasts a big carryover of $8.89 million today and with heavy betting anticipated, a payout in excess of $11 million looks a mere formality, if caught.

Pick-9 players were derailed by SMILE OUT at 12-1 in the second race and, to a lesser extent, MACHISMO at 5-1 in the eighth.

Other firm fancies on the card are MY LADY in the opening race over 1200 metres, MOLTEN KING in the second, down-in-class SHE'S MAGIC in the third, SAN ANTONIO, also stepping down, in the fourth, ROYAL TRAIN in the sixth and JET SETTER in the seventh.