Bank on Medal Award

SUNDAY's Reggae 6 mandatory payout opens with a tricky middle-distance for $350,000 claimers, certainly not the event for punters to attempt playing hero despite DRONE STRIKE's appeal as a banker with Shane Ellis.

Claimed by Oral Hayden from Paul Charlton, DRONE STRIKE will either bomb or win easily again, depending on whether his new handler has a formula for the lameness that has made him inconsistent.

LION OF EKATI, who DRONE STRIKE had beaten by almost five lengths, should not be written off, especially with Lawrence Freemantle getting a second run off the claim.

MUSKETOON, also reporting off the claim as a winner on Christmas Eve, cannot be overlooked after beating BATON ROUGE at six furlongs in a decent 1:16.0.

TITAN TEMPO, UNRULY DON, ZULU WARRIOR and OIL MACHINE have strong claims in the second event, which has varying possibilities. TITAN TEMPO appears to prefer being stretched out in a relaxed pace, making the American a dangerous contender after his double-digit win at nine furlongs and 25 yards.

UNRULY DON was noted darting behind horses in the stretch run when last out, finishing fourth at odds of 30-1 behind MAGNIFICENT FORCE and MIDNIGHT FLIGHT last Saturday. ZULU WARRIOR was scratched out of Saturday's fourth race after being beaten by MS CHERRY in a fast time two weeks ago but reappears on Sunday's card.

OIL MACHINE won really strong on December 28, clocking 1:41.1 at a mile, showing the form he promised after a 22-length maiden win last summer, suggesting he could also be on top of his game.

Spread bets again in the third using LINSTEAD MARKET, BIG POP, PAPPIE DON and MONSTER VIGOROUS, who could spring a surprise after showing speed in her previous race when beaten by HAVAJOY.

REGNANT and EMPEROROFTHECATS should not be separated in the fourth at five furlongs round. EMPEROROFTHECATS lost to old rival EAGLE ONE at his preferred five furlongs straight on last but should not be underestimated on the round course.

MEDAL AWARD is possibly the only Reggae 6 banker on mandatory-payout day, tipped to finally get off the mark after three consecutive second-place efforts, beating most of his rivals.

EQUIUNOX, nabbed stealing home by UNCLE NUB on the round course last out, should land the sixth at five furlongs straight. However, ARIA'S REIGN is pretty light at 112lb to defy the odds from a poor draw.

JIMMIE

REGGAE 6

Race 1: 2, 8, 12

Race 2: 1, 3, 4, 5

Race 3: 1, 2, 7, 8

Race 4: 1, 4

Race 5: 8

Race 6: 3, 10

TOTAL: $1,920

TWILIGHT 6

Race 4: 1, 4

Race 5: 8

Race 6: 3, 10

Race 7: 6

Race 8: 1, 11

Race 9: 9

TOTAL: $80

BONUS BETS:

PLACEPOT 8

Race 2: 1, 3, 4, 5

Race 3: 1, 2, 7, 8

Race 4: 1, 4

Race 5: 8

Race 6: 3, 10

Race 7: 6

Race 8: 1, 11

Race 9: 9

TOTAL: $2,240

BEST THREE

Race 5: Medal Award

Race 7: Runaway Star

Race 9: Geolithic

OUTSIDER:

Race 3: Monster Vigorous