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Reggae 6 full of tight battles
January 09, 2025
SATURDAY's Reggae 6 opener should be a battle between down-in-class CONUNDRUM and speedy NINA DORADA at five and a half furlongs.
NINA DORADA is on a hat-trick of wins but races from a new barn, off a lay-up, since being claimed early September. Having landed a hat-trick of $180,000 claiming races out of Edward Walker's barn, it's left to be seen whether Donovan Plummer can have the eight-year-old mare report in similar shape.
The nuances of claiming races allow CONUNDRUM, who placed second on a $1 million tag on September 8, to face NINA DORADA, who beat $180,000 claimers by a neck the same day. CONUNDRUM was very slow from the gate when last out at seven furlongs on December 7 against $1 million claimers. The seven-year-old gelding mended quickly to join the backmarkers after the first two furlongs before being angled inside at the half-mile marker, eventually going through the motions for the remainder of the event.
On top of his game for most of last season, winning two races from nine starts and placing second on five occasions, CONUNDRUM could be a lonely winner if sound.
It's hard to separate straight-course specialists UNCLE NUB and EQUINOX in the second on the round course. They finished heads-on behind out-of-class BULLETPROOFCOFFEE out the straight on Boxing Day, making it even more difficult to make a call on any shots on the round course.
MEDAL AWARD appears to be a safe banker in the third at six furlongs, having finished ahead of most of his seven rivals in his last three races.
Jason DaCosta's foreigner, FRED THE MASTER, has been catching birds at exercise for his debut in the BGLC-TOBA Millionaires Series Rimsky Trophy at six furlongs, posting 59.2 for five furlongs round last Saturday morning.
The fifth, at six furlongs, should be between POWER RANKING and BURNING VALOR, who won really strong on last. However, POWER RANKING has back class and is not to be underestimated on the round course.
LION CHARMER has the handicaps in his favour in the Reggae 6 closer against WHIZZ KIDD at seven furlongs. However, with SUGAR SUGAR and SHE'S MYHEDGEFUND capable of ensuring a hot pace, WAYNE'S PRINCESS cannot be ruled out should the speed collapses.
