MICHAEL MCINTOSH's MINISTEROFJUSTICE is cherry-ripe for tomorrow's William Read Memorial feature race for Overnight Allowance runners at 1300 metres.

The three-year-old colt has looked better with each run since his failed bid in the classics. He won three races in good times and chased home rivals in fast-run losses, including a good fourth-place run behind AHWHOFAH in the Caribbean Sprint on Superday.

MINISTEROFJUSTICE's last effort, a fast 56.1, beating THE GUARDIAN at 1000 metres straight on November 22, underlined his versatility and fitness, tackling four different distances in as many races.

The distance, 1300 metres, should not be a problem for the chestnut colt, who has performed well up to 2000 metres, placing second in the May 24 Lotto Classic for the Governor's Cup.

Dane Nelson has been somewhat of a fixture aboard McIntosh's runner, piloting him to victory in three of his last five races including back-to-back wins at 1100 metres and a mile.

TOBAGO, who was outsped but closed into sixth place behind repeat winner BLUE MAGIC at 1100 metres on November 29, is bound to have his backers. However, the seven-year-old gelding should have done better in an easier attempt 14 days earlier when beaten into third place by PRINCESS ZANAI and DANCING SAM.

A bit off-colour

It should be noted that both horses met in the Caribbean sprint where TOBAGO made no impression whereas MINISTEROFJUSTICE was far from disgraced in finishing less than five lengths off the subsequent Gold Cup winner AHWHOFAH.

TOBAGO, it appears, has gone a bit off-colour, not as sharp as he was earlier this season. He has been doing most of his training in the equine pool and will find his younger rivals packing too much power in the stretch run.

Champion and leading jockey Omar Walker is scheduled to go off on a three-day ban, starting next Wednesday, which could see him missing the Boxing Day card unless he appeals.

He has three live rides on the 10 racecard, which Track Price Plus Pick-6 players should capitalise on.

Walker is hot aboard a double for Wayne DaCosta, THE GUMMER among non-winners-of-two in the fifth at 1200 metres and the impressive two-year-old debutant, the filly JUST A FLUTTER in the eighth at 1200 metres.

THE GUMMER, a half-brother to AHWHOFAH, slammed maidens by eight lengths at 1100 metres on November 22 and returned to clock 1:13.4 for six furlongs at exercise last Sunday morning.

Meanwhile, JUST A FLUTTER, bred Vanadium-Heart Throb, has been catching birds at exercise and should rip apart fellow maidens in a quick sprint.

THE REAL FURY had no chance sprinting TWENTYFIRSTOFJUNE two Wednesdays ago but should be much more comfortable at 1820 metres among average non-winners of two races. Her previous effort, third behind DOLLA WIN in a decent mile, 1:41.2, should see her past ARIANA, FIRELINK and company.

Here's one to be on at a good price, Philip Feanny's HONEY BUNNY with Trevor Simpson in the fourth at 1500 metres, a distance at which she will be doubted.

However, she has improved leaps and bounds over the past month, placing third behind MISS EILEEN and FLAGAMAN in her last race before returning to accompany top two-year-old stablemate, BRUCEONTHELOOSE at exercise Tuesday morning, clocking 1:01.1 to his 1:01.0 for five furlongs round.