Bet on Mark to Market

Orville Clarke, Gleaner Writer

Both the Pick-9 and Super-6 start anew at Caymanas Park tomorrow after both were caught on Wednesday's nine-race programme.

The Trainers' Association Day meet will be highlighted by the running of the Jamaica Racehorse Trainers' Association Day Trophy over 1200 metres to be contested by 12 starters, including hit ante-post favourite MERU under title-chasing jockey Shane Ellis.

The Pick-9 will embrace all nine races, while the first Super-6 commences in the second race and the overlapping Super-6 from four to nine, with guaranteed minimums of $1 million and $750,000, respectively.

We look at the second Super-6 which gets under way with a $250,000-$200,000 claiming race over the straight five course, which promises keen competition. Among the starters is the profound course specialist MARK TO MARKET, who led home AUSTIN LUKE over the course on October 15, this on a $350,000 claiming tag.

Now dropped in class, down to $250,000 claiming, MARK TO MARKET could well repeat, although having risen 3.0kg in the weights. He's extremely fit and, despite the chances of J.R'S DREAM, who was behind in fifth on October 15, as well as recent winner CLASS ACT and MR. FABULOUS, MARK TO MARKET (Richard Mitchell up) ought to be followed.

The American two-year-old filly NOON IT IS represents the day's five-star banker in the fifth race over 1000 metres, following her strong second to HUPOMONE over 1000 metres on October 22, while DON GEORGE, now back among opposition he can manage, is tipped to win the sixth race over 1600 metres, ahead of DISTANT SUNSET and ALEXA'S SONG in a field of 11 native and imported three-year-olds.

NATURALFANTASY, having finished second to some decent horses in his last three races, should go one better in the seventh race over 1700 metres for maiden three-year-olds, even though old rival JJ's GIRL (just behind her recently) should make it close in a field of 10.

The last two races should be won by the aforementioned MERU, a lightly raced three-year-old colt who just failed to make it two in a row on only his second start recently; and OASIS in the night pan for the Lee Clarke O.D. Trophy over 1200 metres. Their respective dangers are REMEMBER ME and SIR JAADU BABA, both fit animals.

SECOND SUPER-6 FANCIES

(4) MARK TO MARKET/JR'S DREAM

(5) NOON IT IS

(6) DON GEORGE/DISTANT SUNSET

(7) NATURALFANTASY/JJ'S GIRL

(8) MERU/REMEMBER ME

(9) OASIS/SIR JAADU BABA