Rio Cobre a safe banker in race five

Orville Clarke, Gleaner Writer

The Pick-9 proved elusive for the second consecutive raceday last Saturday and the carryover to tomorrow's meet at Caymanas Park stands at $1.32 million.

There were three punters with eight of nine, each receiving $41,158.50.

The Pick-9 will embrace races two to 10, the first Super-6 from one to six, the overlapping Super-6 from race five to 10.

We look at the second Super-6 which kicks off with a restricted stakes over 1500 metres for native and imported three-year-olds in which 10 starters have been declared.

Indications are that victory will go to one of the imported horses, represented by a quartet comprising the lightly raced but unbeaten RIO COBRE, ALEXA'S SONG, who was a good second to MIKENIFICENT over 1600 metres recently, NYABINGHI, who was a fast-finishing third in the same race, and recent winner LADY MACBETH.

RIO COBRE, who impressed on his debut over 1100 metres on August 13 when leading home subsequent winner LADY MACBETH by 7³/⁴ lengths, won in the smart time of 1:06.2 under 57.0kg and could be something special.

He continues to look the part at exercise and with Lasix now administered, the dark bay colt from the stables of champion Wayne DaCosta ought to be followed.

Next on the programme is a 3-y-o maiden condition race over the straight in which the DaCosta-trained KACEY POPS' KID, though proving expensive to follow, will more than likely start favourite, having worked well.

Although punters are getting wary of the 4-y-o chestnut gelding by He'stherealthing out of Charrito, he could finally break the ice now venturing over the straight.

Still, he can expect stiff opposition from SHE'S SO SHY, who will love the straight, as well as SHAMAN, MY MONEY, the speedy CITY HALL and LADY BAHIN.

It is left to be seen whether 'POPS KID' will drop this catch, but strictly on a hunch, SHAMAN, who was a beaten favourite over 1300 metres when last raced in June, is given the edge to win for the first time on this his fifth outing.

CHAMPION LINKS, with Walker aboard, gets the nod over MR. ALLIANCE in the seventh for maiden three-year-olds over 1820 metres.

SWEET TRAIL, who finished fourth in the Oaks and second to TREASURE GIRL in the Hot Line Stakes over 1200 metres on February 19, looks the one to beat in the eighth race over 1100 metres, in which MY GIRL NALA and LIGHTNING IMAGE are twin dangers in a field of 14 fillies (non-winners of two).

HOMBRE, now dropped in class (from open allowance to overnight company) should take a lot of beating going two turns in the Kenneth Mattis OD Trophy over 2000 metres to be contested by 13 starters.

Trained by Noel Ennevor, HOMBRE, who won the 2009 Superstakes over the distance, needs no introduction, and having performed creditably against the likes of SIR VON and the unbeaten 3-y-o gelding COMMANDING CHIEF in better company recently, looks the right choice, even though the improving American colt MIKENIFICENT (seeking hat-trick) and the late-kicking PRINCE ROHAN will have their share of supporters.

PRINCE ROHAN was a fast-finishing second to COMMANDING CHIEF in the fast-run Nigel B. Nunes Memorial Cup over 1820 metres on August 13, beating HOMBRE into third that day. With title-chasing jockey Dick Cardenas retaining the ride, PRINCE ROHAN is a real danger to HOMBRE.

Then, take GHOST RAPPER (eased in the weights), with champion jockey Omar Walker up, to romp the closing $180,000 claiming race over 1600 metres, and give new trainer Lorenzo Robinson his first winner on his first day on the job.

SECOND SUPER-6