CHAMPION jockey Omar Walker looks set to either join or go past leading rider Dane Nelson tomorrow afternoon with three hot rides on the 10 racecard - ROYAL BLAST in the one-mile feature event and a double for Wayne DaCosta, SKITTLE QUEEN and THE GUARDIAN in the first and third races.

Walker reduced the deficit to two wins on Saturday with a double after Nelson moved four clear on 56 aboard PATTA in the opening event.

With Nelson having a date with the stewards following his disqualification aboard TOBAGO, Walker looks set to pounce on his rival tomorrow.

ROYAL BLAST is down in class among high-level claimers for the JW 'Judge' Hardie Memorial Cup after a fair fourth-place run behind STAR OF THE SEA at 2000 metres on June 6 in overnight allowance company.

He also ran well for fifth in his previous race among overnight allowance horses, beaten into fifth by HAIL THE GENIUS and the pair of TOBAGO and PLEASURE FLIGHT, both return winners.

Walker scored a convincing win aboard ROYAL BLAST on April 18, taking apart non-winners-of-four with an easy three-length win.

ROYAL BLAST's next three efforts were uphill tasks in overnight allowance, facing American-bred RACING MACHINE before losing to HAIL THE GENIUS and STAR OF THE SEA.

customary patient

Among claiming company, ROYAL BLAST should sit with the pace under a customary patient ride from Walker, whose mount is already drawn where he likes, close to rail at post-position three.

TIMOTHY SCOTT should ensure an honest pace whereas Walker ditching DR STEPHANIE in favour of ROYAL BLAST must be an indicator.

SKITTLE QUEEN was rather unlucky on Jun 13, shying away from what the railbirds claim was a butterfly early in the stretch run, almost ditching Walker, who had to hang on for dear life before breaking his fall just past the winning post.

The American-bred filly has good speed and should outclass Richard Azan's local-bred, PRINCE OF PEACE, although she has never gone in excess of 1400 metres.

THE GUARDIAN should chase and beat FIRST TIME LUCKY in the third after a decent third-place effort behind TOBAGO, just pipped on the line for second by SHE'S OUTRAGEOUS at 1300 metres on June 13.

Track Price Plus Pick-6 players should close their bets with first-timer SEA DEVIL in the fourth at three furlongs straight, OUR DEELITE in the seventh at 1100 metres and DIGI N' JIGGY in the 10th at 1000 metres straight.

SEA DEVIL, an $850,000 yearling, has been showing good speed in the mornings and should go all the way with Brian Harding.

OUR DEELITE went down by a nose, caught by MEDUSA at 1200 metres on May 25, and should make amends in the seventh at 1100 metres, considering FIRST EDITION, who featured in a three-way photo that day, a further nose behind in third, scored well on his return at the level.

Close all bets with oldstager DIGI N' JIGGY back among $180,000 claimers after scoring at 1000 metres straight last Wednesday.