BY JIMMIE, Star Racing Writer
TRAINER DWIGHT CHEN'S imported filly, SEATTLE'S GIRL, is down in class for tomorrow afternoon's Gladiator Trophy after her decent second behind CLOCK WORK in the Red Stripe Mile on Superday.
Reporting ridiculously light among Open Allowance company, at least 50.5 kilos with Trevor Simpson, after pipping EXPLOSIVE PEAK for second in the fast-run Red Stripe Mile, SEATTLE'S GIRL gets the ideal distance, 1400 metres, and should run her six rivals into the ground with sheer speed.
The American-bred filly recently sliced through Overnight Allowance company in the summer before running smack into EXPLOSIVE PEAK in September's CTL Imported Stakes.
Chen's runner took the fight to EXPLOSIVE PEAK at 1400 metres, but the speedy filly, also an American, turned back SEATTLE'S GIRL a half-furlong out, causing her to lose second place.
No match for out-of-class CLOCK WORK in her next two outings, SEATTLE'S GIRL turned the table on EXPLOSIVE PEAK in the Red Stripe Mile, relegating the tiring speedster close home.
Expected to be tested by stablemate CHOSEN ONE, who won in fine style on Superday when beating Overnight Allowance runners at 1400 metres, SEATTLE'S GIRL gets the nod after putting away the local-bred gelding at exercise in a pre-Superstakes Day six-furlong gallop, clocking 1:12.0 in the workout.
In addition, leading jockey Simpson, whose lead atop the standings has been slashed to three by Brian Harding, definitely had choice of rides between the stablemates as he was booked to ride CHOSEN ONE in the nightpan on Superday but sat out the greater portion of the afternoon after suffering a fall in the fifth event.
CHOSEN ONE has good tactical speed, but hates being pestered on the lead. In addition, he has never beaten higher than Overnight Allowance, failing to score in five Open Allowance events when stepping up in class earlier this year.
JACKPOTS AT $1.5M
KEELER at 5-1 was by far the toughest shot for Pick-9 bettors Wednesday. However, one lucky punter was left standing at the end of the day, pocketing $1.5m. The Super-6 was also nabbed, yielding 61 winning combinations each worth $14,206.
With the Pick-9 back at its $1m guarantee, bettors shouldn't hesitate to get off the mark with another American, Anthony Nunes' YA JUGEY. He is also a giveaway on a $200,000 tag in the third at 1820 metres after his encouraging fourth at 1100 metres behind SPYRIT and RIO BUENO at 1300 metres on November 5.
Harding should easily boot home YA JUGEY and ought to be back in the winners' enclosure after the fifth race aboard REJECT, who should land a quick double up in class at a mile.
Track Price Plus Pick-6 players can bank on Wayne DaCosta's two-year-old debutant, American-bred PACIFIC PRINCESS, partnered by Charles Hussey in the second event at 1200 metres.
The filly has looked fluent in the mornings and must be a five-star banker against ordinary local-breds after beating LOCHNESS DRAGON at exercise last Friday morning, clocking 1:08.2 for 1100 metres.
Super-6 players should get off to a grand start with speedy ROOM FORTYNINE in the sixth at 1000 metres straight and LOCHNESS DRAGON has consistently had the measure of most of his rivals in the eighth at 1820 metres.
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