Cardenas - File

DETHRONED by Dane Nelson last year, Dick Cardenas looks poised to launch an all-out attack for the jockeys' championship after reeling off a three-timer last Saturday, moving to four winners, one behind his rival.

Cardenas' bid will depend on how many rides he can get out of champion trainer Wayne DaCosta's barn, using his weight advantage to get aboard horses carrying 52.0 kilos and under.

With Nelson riding at approximately 53.0 kilos, the hot mounts out of DaCosta's barn could be split down the middle, with an apprentice rider or two thrown in, making the race for the 2013 title an interesting affair.

Tomorrow is shaping to be another great day for Cardenas who won aboard two DaCosta runners last Saturday while Nelson went winless.

The Panamanian looks good astride the champion trainer's MY FRIEND LUCY in the third at 1400 metres and VIBES MASTER in the ninth at 1200 metres. In addition, Cardenas has the leg up astride Lawrence Freemantle's down-in-class LESTERAE in the fourth and the super-fit $180,000 claimer FUNNY SIDE in the sixth at a mile.

The filly MY FRIEND LUCY clocked a really fast 1:25.4 on January 5 when beating EASTWOOD by three quarter length at 1400 metres. She was always in charge and gets another gift in tomorrow's third, an optional claiming event which she qualifies for as a four-year-old non-winner of four.

With Cardenas winning aboard the filly twice in her last three starts, DaCosta had no second thoughts in retaining the Panamanian even though she will carry 54.0 to post.

Though going up against seasoned runners such as the recently claimed pair of RAISE A RUCKUS and THE GUMMER, six and seven-year-olds, respectively, MY FRIEND LUCY is expected to outclass both with her telling mid-race pace.

DaCosta has two runners in the ninth, VIBES MASTER with Cardenas and ST BERNARD with Nelson aboard. Both horses have been working together in recent weeks, finishing heads on in their gallops. However, ST BERNARD has not raced since last October and could be found wanting for speed.

VIBES MASTER has better pace and showed good fight last time out, December 15, after chasing the speedy CONCRETE JUNGLE and picking up the lead off the turn at 1200 metres. He was run out of it close home by SMOKING TRAIN and MEROVINGIAN QUEEN, finishing two lengths behind the pair who crossed the line heads on.

Track Price Plus Pick-6 bettors should stick with Cardenas again tomorrow and accumulate what appears to be a his four-timer - MY FRIEND LUCY with LESTERAE, FUNNY SIDE and VIBES MASTER - with RAGING PROSPECT and EL PONDEROSO.