Jimmie, Star Racing Writer

TRAINER Noel Ennevor's stayer, ALLIEDFORCE, should outfinish Gary Subratie's FIRST IN THE SAND in tomorrow's Zaleucus Trophy, for Open Allowance runners, over 1800 metres.

Hunting back-to-back wins after slipping down in class to beat Overnight Allowance horses at a mile in January, ALLIEDFORCE, a regular Grade I campaigner, should again benefit from what is expected to be a strong early pace.

With TRACK STAR, IVAN THE TERRIBLE, ACCOMPONG and GOOD COMPANY all expected to be vying for the lead down the backstretch and into the lane, ALLIEDFORCE's threat from off the pace could be the American-bred FIRST IN THE SAND, winner of last November's MegaFone Mile for imported horses.

Fitted with the visor by Subratie for her last two runs, FIRST IN THE SAND ran big races for third place in both the Eros Trophy over 1400 metres and the Abe Issa Memorial at 1200, races won by RAMPAGE and MEDICAL REPORT, respectively.

However, Subratie, has removed the equipment for the longer distance, a move which could backfire as his runner has shown tendencies of lodging, which will do her no good in a stretch duel with ALLIEDFORCE.

Running without a visor at 1820 metres on January 12, FIRST IN THE SAND was eyeballed to the wire in a duel with IVAN THE TERRIBLE and lost by a neck.

That run prompted Subratie to fit the visor but FIRSTINTHESAND was no match for the speedsters in the Abe Issa and Eros Trophy and had to settle for creditable third-place finishes in fast-run races.

In addition to being without the visor, FIRST IN THE SAND was twice beaten at exercise by the three-year-old filly, LADY LIZ, making her a questionable prospect, sitting at 54.0 kilos, just one under ALLIEDFORCE, who comes in at 55.0 due to Omar Walker's two-kilo claim.

ALLIEDFORCE appeared to make heavy weather of his last run, coming forward late to outfinish SIR KHAN and JODI'S CALL in a time of 1:40.0. However, a cracking race was set down the backstretch with at least three horses alternating on the lead while Walker watched proceedings, allowing his mount to float down on his bridle.

SIR KHAN returned to frank the form, albeit among top-level claimers, winning by almost 11 lengths at 1820 metres in a decent 1:57.4.

With an extra furlong to run, ALLIEDFORCE should pounce much earlier and won't be outfinished by any of his rivals in a stretch battle.

Jackpots at $2.1m

RIGMAROLE at 9-1 in the fifth was not enough to stop Pick-9 players as the tough bet paid out $711,805 to three winning tickets. There were also many winning Super-6 bets, each picking up $6,360.

A popular North Lounge turfite, who hangs out at the tax office in Cross Roads, nabbed two pieces of the Hi-Five, which paid $33,917.

With the Pick-9 back at its $1m guarantee and the Super-6 at its $500,000 minimum payout with two games on tomorrow's 12-race card, punters will be gunning at $2.1m in guaranteed jackpots, starting at the opening event in which Philip Feanny's LIMA'S BIGBADBOY is a five-star banker after beating his three stablemates in a workout at the distance.

Other early Super-6 bankers are Feanny's ZUNZUN in the fourth at 1400 metres and BORDER PATROL in the sixth at 1100 metres.

ZUNZUN should rebound after her loss to stablemate DANCEWITHTHESRARS at 1300 metres and should beat Percy Hussey's ROCKET STAR, who could be dangerous from a clean break after giving it away at the gate on debut last week Wednesday.

Speedy BORDER PATROL returns off a four-month lay-up facing weaker opposition and should finally get off the mark.

Late Super-6 players should note how well SUPER DAVE has trained for his clash with THE REAL STREAM as well as Ennevor's MR. BLAIR, who has been beating stablemate HOMBRE in the mornings.