KINGSTON, Jamaica – Champion trainer Wayne DaCosta enters the last race day of 2018 with a lead of approximately $1.6 million over Anthony Nunes.
While this lead is a substantial one, Nunes is well represented in a number of races with his horses having very good winning chances.
Gallopja.com looks at all 11 races on the card.
RACE 1: - DaCosta has a good opportunity of extending his lead with Unbreakable almost certain to be the favourite with his main rivals being the Nunes trained Perfect Asset and Concur. The three make a good exacta box. Expected odds are – Perfect Asset 7/2 – Concur 3-1, and Unbreakable
RACE 2: Nunes has brought down his Overnight Allowance campaigner Bruce Wayne to the level of $250,000 -$210,000 claiming over a distance to his liking, one mile. DaCosta is represented in this one by another coming down the ladder, Supertronics. Should be a straight fight between the two with Bruce Wayne the choice. Expected odds Bruce Wayne 6-5, Supertronics 7-5.
RACE 3: Nunes should make it two in a row in this Maiden Special Weight for two-year-old colts and geldings over five furlongs round with Toona Ciliata (Soul Warrior – Red Gold). This is the filly’s second outing and with the field pretty bare is expected to win quite easily. DaCosta saddles Riddim Up, Time For A Kola and Don Julio with the best expectations being a placing effort. Toona Ciliata at odds 3-5 in the firm choice.
RACE 4: The DaCosta-Nunes rivalry takes a break in the fourth race – a 5-y-o and up event over 6 ½ furlongs. Photogenic trained by Gary Griffiths is going to carry the bulk of the betting along with Smokescreen and Smashing One. The vote, however, goes to #2 Cat’s Rigger with Shane ‘The Canterman’ Ellis doing the riding duties. Projected odds are: Photogenic 2-1; Smokescreen 5-2; Smashing One 3-1 and Cat’s Rigger at 4-1.
RACE 5: This is going to be a walk in the park for former Derby winner Orpheus who after winning at the Overnight level on Diamond Mile day (December 1) now ventures in $450,000 claiming company running a mile. 1-9 odds on favourite.
RACE 6: At this stage Nunes should have visited the winners’ enclosure three times and DaCosta one. This sixth race should give DaCosta some breathing room as his imported gelding Stranger Danger is the overwhelming morning line 1-5 favourite to win his third consecutive race.
RACE 7: The DaCosta trained Pure Heart after many starts tries his luck again in maiden 3-y-o event over 6 ½ furlongs. Pure Heart’s main challenge are Key Witness and Dare To Speak. The choice is Dare To Speak at odds of 3-1.
RACE 8: Quite a contest is expected down the five straight with the main candidates being Storm Born, Adonis, My Sister, Brandy and El Professor. It’s a sprint fest in the making with the nod being given the come from behind runner My Sister.
RACE 9: Straight fight between Sacrifice and Secret Law with the former the choice.
RACE 10: A cracking Overnight Allowance over 7 furlongs. The outstanding filly Hilly’s Halo from the barn of trainer Gary Subratie graces the track once again this time with Dane Dawkins in the saddle. Another Vigorous seems to be her main danger.
RACE 11: The last race for 2018 should be a cinch for Let It Snow.
