Sport

Double up Nunes

TRAINER ANTHONY NUNES, voted most improved of his peers last season after tallying 47 winners including Superstakes winner PITTACUS, could have his best day of the year so far with a two-timer lined-up on tomorrow's 11-race card.

Nunes, who had a falling out with jockey Shane Ellis a month ago, hasn't been off to a good start this year, posting only four winners, just two since the Superstakes winning pair parted company.

However, Nunes looks set to add a double to his name with improving EPICTATUS in the sixth at 1200 metres and LATONIA in the 1400-metre Thornbird Stakes, the 1000 Guineas prep event.

EPICTATUS, who debuted with an impressive fast-time win at 1500 metres early January, has been traveling like a well-oiled machine in the mornings, blowing away KING AL in a zippy 58.4 on the round course Sunday.

With that lightning fast gallop under his girth following a bold second behind COURT CASE at 1820 metres, among Overnight Allowance runners, lining up against non-winners-of-four must be a big drop in class for EPICTATUS.

Leaving nothing to chance, Nunes has summoned Winston Griffiths to guide home the four-year-old gelding.

Since finishing fourth to colts in the Jamaica Two-Year-Old Stakes late December, LATONIA has been rested with one race in mind, the April 3 Track Price Plus 1000 Guineas, the season's first Classic.

With PERFECT TEN laid-up recovering from an injury, LATONIA must be the horse to beat in the Guineas prep. She held her own against the guys in the Jamaica Two-Year-Old, never worse than fourth from the top of the lane and although finishing 11 lengths behind DISTINCTLY IRISH, was beaten less than four by third-place DRAW CARD.

Percy Hussey's SEGA will have her fair share of backers after upsetting SEATTLE SUE in the fillies only Hot Line Stakes last time out but that was a non-winners-of-two battle and stepping up in class almost on level terms with LATONIA must be a tough ask.

THE COMBINATION OF ANYTHING ELSE at 15-1, THAT'S GOLD at 13-1, along with mild upsetter LADY KAMPOOR at 5-2 busted all Pick-9 bets Saturday, forcing a carryover of $604,046.10. The Hi-Five also proved elusive in the nightpan, pushing forward $230,239.10 to tomorrow's ninth race.

STYLISH MISS in the first and SPEED EXPRESS in the second are safe Pick-9 bankers along with lone speed STRAIGHTTOTHEHEART in the third and GUIDANCE in the fourth.

STYLISH MISS found only HADDO better last time out and SPEED EXPRESS has been fitted with a tongue-tie after weakening close home when third over the straight course behind MAGIC DRAGON.

GUIDANCE galloped 1:00.2 from the gate out of the straight Monday. The big grey filly returns to 1000 metres straight with 49.5 kilos after winning at the distance in 59.1 last November and will have to be caught.