Fiery Path the only shocker on Saturday’s Reggae 6

FOR the second consecutive racemeet, punters paying keen attention to THE WEEKEND STAR Reggae 6 previews, would have snared the longest shot of the day by heeding loud warnings.

In last Friday's preview, Reggae 6 bettors were forewarned to "throw everything at the fifth event for $200,000 claimers at three and a half furlongs straight before napping IRISH WISH to go all the way in the sixth at four furlongs straight".

Unlike the previous Sunday when "throw the kitchen sink at the fourth event, older non-winners of three races, at five furlongs round", might have been taken lightly, resulting in PRINCESS RIA stunning at 54-1, forcing a Reggae 6 payout of $369,681, punters were somewhat more astute on Saturday, using 31-1 kicker FIERY PATH on bets that returned $44,751 ahead of Ash Wednesday's mandatory payout, which opens at $14.2 million.

Saturday's most disappointing runner was WATERMAN JOHN, touted as a banker among three to lay a foundation for a winning Reggae 6 bet with a $240 stake. However, WATERMAN JOHN engaged XYLOPHONIC STEEL in a speed duel, which ended badly for him, having no response when the five-year-old mare renewed her challenge along the rail after being headed coming off the home turn.

WATERMAN JOHN's surrender, weakening into fourth behind winner CLOWNING AROUND, XYLOPHONIC STEEL and BLITZ STRIKE, emphasised the dangers of hasty turnaround time, especially horses returning quickly from tough races, whether winner or loser.

WATERMAN JOHN had raced two weeks prior, caught at the wire, going six and a half furlongs, by CHARMING SOUND. Returning three pounds heavier and allowing XYLOPHONIC STEEL eight pounds on the lead took toll in the stretch run off a two-week turnaround.

WATERMAN JOHN aside, the Reggae 6 played true to form, FIERY PATH being the only shocker, which should not have cost followers of the STAR Sports Reggae 6 weekend preview.

Lakeland Farms closed the nine-race card with a stinging double, resulting in a $2.5 million Twilight 6 payout to two winning tickets.

IMMEASURABLE JOY's storming run at odds of 6-1 with Tevin Foster in the eighth was followed by CHAMPION BUBBLER's stunning reversal of form, landing the five-furlong straight Mabrouk Sprint as a 10-1 outsider with claiming rider Tajay Suckoo.