Sport

Bank on Francis

OUTSHONE BY KERRY-Gayl Robinson's three-timer on Wednesday's midweek card, leading apprentice Paul Francis should get in on the act tomorrow afternoon with a triple of his own.MR. SHINE in the sixth at 1200 metres, American-bred PRECOCIOUS MISS D in the ninth and speedy VISCOSITY in the 10th at 1000 metres straight.

Sitting third in the jockeys' standings on 39 winners behind leader Trevor Simpson, 54, and the challenging Trinidadian Brian Harding on 51, Francis' position is under threat from veteran Charles Hussey, who has quickly climbed the table to 37 due to choice rides from the barns of leading trainer Wayne DaCosta and defending champion Philip Feanny.

However, Francis, who failed to ride a winner Wednesday following a fantastic hat-trick last Saturday, should step on the gas this weekend.

MR. SHINE should finally get off the mark at 1200 metres in the sixth event following his strong second behind FORSETTI last Saturday. The five-year-old horse, probably named for his good looks, never fails to attract bettors, whom he disappoints week after week.

However, the Noel Ennevor-trained runner has been presented with his easiest opportunity ever, having finished ahead of almost the entire field when last out.

PRECOCIOUS MISS D should be rewarded with a win in the 1200-metre ninth race for her brave run behind smart EXPLOSIVE PEAK in the 1800-metre RJR Classic on July 30. The American-bred three-year-old filly battled EXPLOSIVE PEAK to the final furlong, where she was eventually relegated third by RISTO-CAT, running on from off the pace.

A versatile runner, PRECOCIOUS MISS D won't mind the reduction in journey and similar to MR. SHINE, had all her main rivals behind in the RJR Classic.

Francis should close his three-timer in style with VISCOSITY, who will have to be caught at 1000 metres straight. Claimed by Welsh Soutar a little over a month ago, the six-year-old mare has spent her month in jail and won't be beaten among conditional $150,000 claimers following that big fourth in an open event won by fit ZEALOT last month.

Jackpots at $2.3m

Most Pick-9 bets were derailed at Wednesday's eventful fourth race in which overwhelming favourite HOUDINI AGAIN was a very late scratch and subsequent 2-5 choice ALPHA LUPA lost by a neck after raring at the gate.

Even though MISS CHURCHILL won at seemingly short odds of 9-2, Pick-9 bettors could not have foreseen the sequence of events. However, the event was the start of the Super-6, giving those players chances to amend their bets, resulting in 12 winning tickets each worth $45,329.50.

Pick-9 players should tread carefully in the 1820-metre third race in which Wayne DaCosta's DIGI N' JIGGY should start favourite. Patrick Fong's HIGH GRADE is the only proven stayer in the seven-horse field and the front-runners are at risk of running themselves into the ground.

UNQUESTIONABLE should give Super-6 players a flying start in the fifth race at 1100 metres and ARABIAN DANCER is a Track Price Plus Pick-6 banker in the seventh at 1100 metres.