by Jimmie, Star Racing Writer

SATURDAY's 8-1 winner, QUICK MEDIC, will be tough to beat down in class when he tackles 10 rivals in Race Three of the first CTL Claiming Series over 1200 metres.

Enjoying good form since claimed by Albert Chong mid-December, QUICK MEDIC outbattled DEARDREAMER at 1100 metres on Saturday, posting a decent 1:07.4 to win by a neck on a $240,000 tag.

QUICK MEDIC, who was claimed for $160,000 in December, qualifies for tomorrow's race and has been aimed down in class to take a shot at the feature event, which carries the incentive of an increased purse.

Apprentice Omelia Bennett's four-kilo claim will again serve QUICK MEDIC well as he will only carry 54.0 kilos, almost on par with his 10 rivals.

Prior to beating DEARDREAMER, QUICK MEDIC disputed the lead with PRINCE NATHANIEL to the half-mile in a $270,000 claiming race and was still third a furlong out behind the runaway winner.

WINNING MESSAGE, drawn at post position one, convincingly beat return winner RUCKUS at 1200 metres on a $200,000 tag early February and continues to look well at exercise.

However, the eight-year-old American-bred will have to catch QUICK MEDIC, who will be the controlling speed in the race and will be even more comfortable going a half-furlong longer than Saturday.

Jackpots at $3m

FIDDLE STICKS at 20-1 crashed all Pick-9 bets where 8-1 QUICK MEDIC failed on Saturday, sending a $2.5m carryover to tomorrow's first race.

The Super-6 was nailed, paying $76,216 to 17 winning tickets and will start at the fourth race with its minimum guaranteed payout of $500,000.

PRINCE TERRON and OK BABY should give Pick-9 players a flying start in the first two races.

Dwight Chen's PRINCE TERRON was a strong winner over 1300 metres on his second outing on March 10 and should beat RUMOUR HAS IT at 1400 metres.

OK BABY found one better in her last three races and should now get off the mark at 1300 metres after being beaten by IMPERIALIST on March 3.

Super-6 players should bank NAHIMA in the fifth, TAKE FIVE in the seventh and MEDIC ON BOARD in the ninth at 1800 metres.

NAHIMA hasn't raced in two months, but has looked sharp at exercise, TAKE FIVE will win easily over 1200 metres if she calms down at the gate and MEDIC ON BOARD is better than $160,000 claiming even though he hasn't raced in more than six months when slamming the group by almost five lengths.