The Jamaica Star :: Sport :: It will be Clock Work

by Jimmie, Star Racing Writer

CHAMPION trainer Wayne DaCosta's CLOCK WORK returns from a four-month lay-up nicely freshened and ready to make all in tomorrow afternoon's 1400-metre Eros Trophy for Grade One runners.

Last raced October 13, CLOCK WORK carried 58.5 kilos and finished a floundering last in a seven-horse field behind MUSICAL MAESTRO at 1200 metres.

The speedy six-year-old Ameri-can was clearly not himself, racing off a three-month lay-up after running a cracker to finish a close third in the one-mile Bob Mayall Memorial on July 21, caught by DISTINCTLY IRISH before relega-ted third close home by LA REINA

Although in at topweight 60.5 kilos, CLOCK WORK should use superior pace to leave his six rivals for dead down the backstretch and coast in under Dane Nelson.

Richard Azan's RAMPAGE remains too heavy at 58.5 kilos to chase and beat CLOCK WORK whereas his other five rivals lack the speed to bother him on the lead.

The American-bred has been working extremely well at exercise, clocking 1:12.2 for six furlongs last Monday morning and will have to be caught.

Jackpots at $1.5m

A regular North Lounge punter hit the big times on Wednesday, combining with a pal to nail the Pick-9 jackpot.

He picked up $2.1m on a relatively easy day when many bettors were hurt by 4-5 favourite TANTESOLDE, who ditched Nelson at the start of the eighth event won by BUSTER JACK at 6-1.

The Super-6 was also lucrative at $65,435 and the Hi-Five, which had a carryover of $243,246, paid out a whopping $133,348 to winning 10th race tickets.

Title-chasing jockeys Shane Ellis and Dane Nelson are set to dominate tomorrow's 10-race card. Bettors hunting the Super-6 guarantee of $500,000 and Pick-9 minimum payout of $1m should stick with both riders all day.

Ellis has a hat-trick lined up to open the Super-6, which starts at the fifth event. LADY LIZ and ROYAL IMAGE should give Ellis a sweep of the Hot Line and Sir Howard Stakes at 1200 metres, sandwiched by PITTACUS in the Omar Walker Trophy at 1820 metres.

Gary Subratie's LADY LIZ beat stablemate FIRSTINTHESAND at exercise and ROYAL IMAGE five-and-a-half-furlong workout, 1:05.4, should not be questioned.

Ellis should also land the first event with SMOOTH DUDE at a mile following the Anthony Nunes-trained runner's big run behind PASSA PASSA in last Saturday's King's Plate.

Meanwhile, Nelson has a three-timer in his cross hairs, super-fit $260,000 claimer WINNING MESSAGE in the third at 1000 metres round, PRINCE NATHANIEL on a $170,000 claiming tag in the fourth at 1400 metres and CLOCK WORK later in the afternoon.

Subratie should notch a double as his three-year-old maiden filly, LOVINGGOOD, clocked 1:15.1 for six furlongs, an exercise bullet work last Sunday morning.