Real Vibes Machine fit and ready

Orville Clarke, Gleaner Writer

The Pick-9 and Super-6 start anew at Caymanas Park tomorrow, both failing to survive the 'Superday' race meet which attracted a capacity crowd.

The Pick-9 will be conducted from race three to 11, the first Super-6 from race one to six, the overlapping Super-6 from six to 11. The programme is being staged to commemorate the United Racehorse Trainers' Association Day on which most of the races are named after its members, including president Richard Todd.

We look at the second Super-6 which gets under way with a maiden special for native and imported two-year-olds over the straight five course, to be contested by 13 starters, including five newcomers.

By virtue of his glowing exercise reports, victory should go to one of the debutants - REAL VIBES MACHINE to be ridden by title-chasing Shane Ellis for champion trainer Wayne DaCosta.

REAL VIBES MACHINE really caught the eye at exercise last Saturday morning when galloping out of the straight in 1:00.1 by 46.4. Fellow debutants UPPA TUNE and MAWGA BOY JAMARLEY are forward enough to be competitive, but the biggest danger to REAL VIBES MACHINE must be Gary Subratie's LADY FOREMAN, who chased home stable-companion NOON IT IS on her second outing recently.

Rebound

TOBAGO, who was not disgraced behind out-of-class SANKOFA over 1400 metres when stepping down to open $180,000 claiming recently, should rebound in the seventh race over 1500 metres for conditional $180,000 claimers. The veteran campaigner has beaten much better in the not-too-distant past and should lead home Ellis' mount, GENERAL CURLIN, in a field of 14.

KATHERINETHEGREAT, who was a late scratch as the ante-post favourite earlier this month, has been administered Lasix for the eighth race over 1100 metres and is confidently expected to release the maiden tag. Female apprentice Georgina Sergeon will ride the 3-y-o filly (busy at exercise) from the convenient mark of 51.0kg, and with the blinkers removed for this race, she gets the nod over LAVANTE and BURNING CLEARANCE in a field of 14.

EVER BLESSED, the mount of champion jockey Omar Walker, gets a glorious opportunity to score an overdue win when she takes on 15 opponents in the knotty-looking ninth race over 1200 metres.

Although a number of horses have decent form to recommend, including recent winners RIVER GOLD, CRAZY RACER and RUBY D, along with STEFFI and PRINCESS DECIE, EVER BLESSED is up against opposition she can manage, and with the cheek pieces fitted for this race, the hint should be taken.

Tipped to go one better

NYABINGHI, having failed by only a neck to catch the subsequent Superstakes third COLD GROUND in the Royal Dad Trophy over 1820 metres on October 22, is tipped to go one better over the same distance in the United Racehorse Trainers' Association Trophy (feature) in which eight horses have been declared.

The American filly from the stables of Peter McMaster (Winston Griffiths up) has most to fear from the Gary Subratie-trained imported filly LADY MACBETH (Walker up), who will welcome the longer distance.

The closing race for the Robert Darby Sr Trophy over the straight course (claiming $350,000-$300,000) should see the recent course winner REAL MINISTER, AUSTIN LUKE and the course specialist MARK TO MARKET in contention where it matters. AUSTIN LUKE, now dropped in class and Lasix administered, is preferred.

SECOND SUPER-FANCIES