Bank on Truly Begotten Son in Reggae 6

PUNTERS hoping to rebound from Hurricane Melissa with a Reggae 6 windfall, no pun intended, could have trouble finding upsetters on the first meet after the storm, possibly facing another cheap payout should a slew of bankers make it to the winners' enclosure.

With the trend of winning favourites set to continue after the measly payout of $3,745 on October 25, it would be best to take plinks at the weekend's opening meet, keeping enough cash in reserve for Sunday's Jamaica Cup Day

However, while watching the cash, spare none on Saturday's opening event, a five-and-a-half furlong dash for $200,000 claimers, lamers with licences to reverse form at will.

Therefore, throw the kitchen sink at the opener by turning a blind eye to form, which has no say in who turns up soundest on the day among the lot. It is highly recommended to go as deep as eight runners to get off the mark.

Any excess cash spent on the opening event can be recouped in the next four races by playing form, starting with JON P, who tested former crack sprinter, GOD OF LOVE, throughout the stretch run on last.

Though GOD OF LOVE has certainly declined with age, he was still able to go at a good clip, 23.3, 35.2 and 48.3, splits which JON P pressed into the lane.

Jason DaCosta's DANCING AVIATOR hasn't raced since April 2024, making amends with a win after being disqualified on debut. However, disqualifications are tote compensations, which does not change the fact that she had passed the post in front twice.

Having won both her starts before going missing, DANCING AVIATOR returning off a lengthy break with a 48.0 gallop out the gate for four furlongs puts her ahead of non-winners of two races in the third event.

Similarly, TRULY BEGOTTEN SON, returning off a near three-month break, need only be a quarter of himself to dispatch four-year-old maidens at four furlongs straight. Having kept company with course-specialists RIDGE LINER and SPEEDIE HARE when active, TRULY BEGOTTEN SON could be a key banker in a knotty race should his legs hold out.

There should be no hesitation in banking DaCosta's first-timer, three-year-old FORMALIST, foaled by Miss Formality, a decent mid-level runner for the champion trainer's late father, Wayne DaCosta and owner Carlton Watson, circa 2019-20.

Close the Reggae 6 with LUCY IN THE SKY and NAKAMURA as the two obvious choices. Soundness will determine whether LUCY IN THE SKY can repeat her August 30 victory over NAKAMURA, by whom she was humbled a month earlier.

REGGAE 6

Race 1: 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11

Race 2: 9

Race 3: 6

Race 4: 9

Race 5: 6

Race 6: 3, 8

TOTAL: $160

TWILIGHT 6

Race 4: 10

Race 5: 6

Race 6: 3, 8

Race 7: 2, 3, 5, 9

Race 8: 3

Race 9: 10

TOTAL: $80

BONUS BETS

KETCH 9

Race 1: 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11

Race 2: 10

Race 3: 6

Race 4: 10

Race 5: 6

Race 6: 3, 8

Race 7: 2, 3, 5, 9

Race 8: 3

Race 9: 10

TOTAL: $320

BEST THREE

Race 5: Formalist

Race 8: Shooting Star

Race 9: Another One

OUTSIDER:

Race 7: The Leviticus