by Jimmie, Star Racing Writer

CHAMPIONS of 2007, trainer Wayne DaCosta and apprentice Omar Walker, look set to continue their marauding ways in 2008 as they each have three-timers lined-up on tomorrow's 10-race card at Caymanas Park.

DaCosta should get the day rolling with THUNDER STORM in the first at 1000 metres straight before debuting an impressive three-year-old, COMMANDER ZERO, who has been catching birds in the mornings and is expected to rip 1200 metres in the third race.

The champion trainer should return to close the programme with JJ'S RED ROCKET thrown in on a $170,000 claiming tag in the nightpan at 1000 metres round.

THUNDER STORM last raced on November 24, running at odds of 35-1 in the Pick-3 Challenge Trophy, won by stablemate THE REAL STREAM, putting away HOMBRE over 1400 metres.

The three-year-old gelding was clearly out for the run but showed good backstretch speed, disputing the lead with THE QUEEN to the half-mile in a 34.2 split before HOMBRE and THE REAL STREAM attacked.

THUNDER STORM did not fade but, instead, turned for home three lengths third and held his position to the final furlong, chasing scorching splits of 58.4 and 1:11.2.

DaCosta's runner was narrowly beaten at 1000 metres straight by Richard Azan's GOOD SENSE back in September before getting off the mark over the round course and should have no problems at the distance tomorrow.

Percy Hussey's GOLD STAR is the most experienced in the line-up with two wins to his credit but has faced lesser calibre horses than THUNDER STORM and should be caught in the rush for the wire.

COMMANDER ZERO clocked 1:06.2 for five and a half-furlongs at exercise on Christmas Eve and returned six days later to blaze 1:05.4 for the distance, that will make the grey gelding a banker on every Pick-9 bet tomorrow afternoon.

Jackpots at $1.5m

With 28 winning Pick-9 tickets each worth $242,000 and several Super-6 winners at $8,588, quite a few punters started 2008 on a high on New Year's Day.

The jackpots are back at their minimum guaranteed payouts of $1m and $500,000, respectively, making DaCosta's JJ'S RED ROCKET a tempting banker in the nightpan.

Without a victory in 17 starts, 15 as a three-year-old last season, JJ's RED ROCKET has obviously exhausted his owners' patience, prompting DaCosta to place the four-year-old gelding at the bottom of the claiming ladder, where there will be many takers and a sure shot at a maiden win.

Last time out, JJ'S RED ROCKET finished four lengths, fifth behind MISS CREE and the fast-finishing ALFALLO at 1000 metres straight. He was also third at the distance in his previous race, beaten by HI TECH and FLASH FLOOD.

Facing 12 opponents at the minimum trip, JJ'S RED ROCKET has everything in his favour including improving three-kilo claiming apprentice Rayan Wilson and a perfect outside draw.

DaCosta's runner has faced far better horses over the past year and should put away $170,000 claimers.

Walker's fans should stay with the champion jockey as he seeks to go one better with MEDIC ON BOARD in the sixth at 1300 metres among conditional $170,000 claimers and hat-trick hunter TRUE HONOUR at 1400 metres in the seventh.

Walker also looks good aboard the speedy UGOTTABELIEVE in the Colin Melhado Memorial Cup at 1200 metres.