Sport

Go to the Peak

THE RJR Communications Group Classic appears none the worse after its postponement and is shaping up to be much more competitive than the all-the-way romp SEATTLE'S GIRL turned in two Saturday's ago at 1500 metres in what should have been the RJR feature race.

Thanks to Hurricane Emily, which went about her merry way well south of Jamaica, tomorrow's RJR Classic has a classier feel at nine furlongs with a full field of 16 boasting several in-form horses.

An improved GIRL IN GOLD, who won last time out, SWEET SOUTHERNGAL, SIT O and back-to-form SATISFIER all have sound claims but Peter McMaster's EXPLOSIVE PEAK has caught the eye and, even though untested beyond 1500 metres, looks set to go all the way.

McMaster's American-bred three-year-old filly blazed an eye-popping 1:26.0 flat out of the mile chute Sunday morning, the fastest preparation at the distance by any of the 16 runners.

Unbeaten in her last two races, EXPLOSIVE PEAK has shown tremendous improvement since McMaster treated her with lasix and removed the figure-eight equipment. A speedy 1:06.0 for 1100 metres in late May was franked by her equally sound 1:32.1 for 1500 metres when beating GIRL IN GOLD on June 18.

Lightweight jockey Wesley Henry has been retained to partner the filly, who will carry 56.5 kilos at what is arguably the stiffest distance on the Caymanas circuit.

However, if preparation is anything to go by, EXPLOSIVE PEAK's 1:26.0 overshadows SWEET SOUTHERNGAL's 1:27.3 last Friday morning.

SIT O will be making her move from off the pace, but having failed to justify odds of 6-5 when third behind SEATTLE'S GIRL at 1500 metres two Wednesdays ago, she still has SATISFIER, who was second, to worry about.

Wayne DaCosta's GIRL IN GOLD appears to be EXPLOSIVE PEAK's main threat. Although beaten by EXPLOSIVE PEAK at 1500 metres mid-June, the bay filly showed vast improvement when blowing away MUSICAL MAESTRO and DEAR-DREAMER inside the final furlong at 1400 metres a month later.

However, EXPLOSIVE PEAK has looked better at exercise since, and with Henry bypassing SWEETSOUTHERN GAL for McMaster's filly, punters should follow his lead.

Jackpots at $1.5m

THE AMERICAN GAL at 9-1 plus LADY BALLARI at 4-1 as well as 3-1 stinger ESTOY LISTO ensured the Pick-9 was not caught last Saturday.

With a $1million guaranteed jackpot up for grabs, plus $500,000 in the Super-Six, punters should seek bankers in easier races and gang the tougher events.

CYNTHIANA in the fourth, WATERS OF MERRIBAH in the fifth and PRODIGAL SON in the sixth are certainly worth consideration.

Leroy Tomlinson's CYNTHIANA led LA REINA for three furlongs at 1300 metres and was second by two lengths turning for home. At 1000 metres straight, the sparingly-raced filly should get off the mark.

WATERS OF MERRIBAH was an easy three-length winner last time out on a $220,000 tag and should repeat in the fifth whereas PRODIGAL SON must be treated as being down-in-class among conditional claimers following his creditable fifth behind ZEALOT among Open company.