by Jimmie, Star Racing Writer

CHAMPION trainer Wayne DaCosta's SKYWAY EXPRESS has been handed tomorrow's 1500-metre King's Plate on a platter, allotted 48.0 kilos, which will be further reduced to 46.0 due to Carlton Malcolm's apprentice claim.

Returning off a three-month lay-up three weeks ago, American-bred SKYWAY EXPRESS limbered up for today's feature by coasting to a near four-length win, clocking 1:00.3 to beat Overnight Allowance company at 1000 metres round.

Quite at home over 1500 metres, SKYWAY EXPRESS has never been lighter in his 10 starts to date and should stalk the pace down the backstretch before going in chase of mare EXPLOSIVE PEAK and stablemate DIGI N' JIGGY, who will ensure an honest race into the lane.

EXPLOSIVE PEAK, who won at 1000 metres straight on Wednesday, has been bumped up to 60.5 kilos but will carry 57.5 with apprentice Omar Walker.

However, the American-bred mare is still too heavy, giving away 26 lbs to the gelding SKYWAY EXPRESS, which is definitely too much over a distance of ground.

EXPLOSIVE PEAK will try making all but the double duty of giving away weight to AZULI and DIGI N' JIGGY, who will be pressing, as well as to SKYWAY EXPRESS, coming from just off the pace, should see her weakening early in the lane.

Jackpots at $2.1 m

SOUTHERN DANCER's 31-1 nightpan shocker zapped all Pick-9 bets on Wednesday, sending a $1.3 million carryover to tomorrow's 11-race card. The Hi-Five will also be carried forward, $253,662.50 going to the ninth race.

Once again, the cheaper Super-6 bet was won despite SOUTHERN DANCER's upset. There were six winning tickets, each worth $215,954.

Bankers are key to winning exotic bets as they allow punters to crowd difficult races such as Wednesday's shocker.

GUIDING LIGHT and the debutant SECRET HIDEAWAY should get all Pick-9 bets off to a flying start in the third and fourth races.

Wesley Perkins-trained GUIDING LIGHT steps down the claiming ladder after being outclassed by OH NO GRANDPA and SIR KHAN a week ago. Down among $350,000 claimers, the staying gelding won't be beaten at 1700 metres.

SECRET HIDEAWAY has looked pretty forward at exercise in the company of classy stablemate SO BLESSED, clocking 1:09.2 for 1100 metres on January 31 and should easily get off the mark.

Super-6 players should look to HEAD OF STATE in the eighth over 1000 metres straight and TUNA SALOONA has worked brilliantly for the 11th at the same distance.