MUCHO GUSTO has picked up 10 pounds in a rematch with the American-bred GOOD CITIZEN for tomorrow's Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Commission (BGLC) trophy race at Caymanas Park but is still tipped to win the $1 million race over 1400 metres.
A hot race is in the making as the 10-horse Open Allowance field also includes last year's champion sprinter, MUSICAL MAESTRO, the ante-post favourite, who was a disqualified winner at 1000 metres straight when dropping down in class from Graded Stakes last week Wednesday.
In addition, up-in-class TOBAGO won strong enough at 1500 metres on July 12, clocking a speedy 1:31.4, to be given every chance after convincingly beating the likes of PRINCE TERRON and AD INFINITUM, who returned last Saturday to win the 2000-metre Joseph Ashenheim Memorial in a fast 2:07.2.
The odds seem stacked against topweight MUCHO GUSTO at 57.0 kilos, considering he had to be ridden out to stave off a renewed challenge from GOOD CITIZEN, at 1200 metres on July 5, after racing clear of the American in the stretch run, while allowing him 10 pounds.
However, the Anthony Nunes-trained runner, who was given a lengthy rest six months after a strenuous classic campaign, finishing second in the 2000 Guineas and Lotto Classic and third in the Derby, appears to be rounding back into form.
MUCHO GUSTO was given a further four-month break after winning his seasonal debut in January, returning to place third behind SMOOTHABILITY and PRINCE TERRON at 1300 metres in May.
MUCHO GUSTO's last workout, 1:00.2 for five furlongs round, suggests the four-year-old gelding is cherry-ripe for tomorrow's showdown.
Champion jockey Omar Walker replaces Shane Ellis, who, following the gelding's short head win over GOOD CITIZEN, said MUCHO GUSTO had started idling after hitting the front, allowing the American to rally.
Walker is a no-nonsense rider, who won't allow MUCHO GUSTO to skip a beat plus Nunes has tightened the screws for his runner's toughest assignment this year.
It's a tough field, on paper, but MUCHO GUSTO, at four-year-old, should get the better of the favourite, six-year-old MUSICAL MAESTRO, who just did not look the part against ASKAWOMAN and NASATOL, taking far too long to put away that field after tumbling from Graded Stakes.
If there's a horse to fear, it must be TOBAGO, whose 1:31.4 suggests he went pretty close to 1:24.0 and change for seven furlongs, a remarkable time, which should not be doubted, considering his margin of victory, almost five lengths, beating AD INFINITUM, who returned to clock a pretty decent time at 2000 metres round.
However, TOBAGO is often inconsistent and could be faulted in that regard, but remains extremely dangerous.
PICK SIX
Track Price Plus Pick-6 players should bank on UNCLE D & ME, ROYALTY, DIPLOMATIC LADY, GEORGETTE TASHA, PRINCESS NESSA and SONNY 'B' GOOD as live shots on the 10-race card.
UNCLE D & ME won't be beaten down in class in the opening event at a mile whereas ROYALTY, who chased home stablemate LITTLE WASP on debut, has returned to work brilliantly, 34.3 on the round course, to be given the nod at 800 metres straight in the second.
DIPLOMATIC LADY closed like a train at 1400 metres on July 19 and should outstay non-winners-of-two at 1820 metres in the third, whereas GEORGETTE TASHA, beaten by the distance last time out, should run rivals off their legs at 1400 metres in the fourth.
Close all bets with SONNY 'B' GOOD sneaking down among $180,000 claimers in the 10th at 1400 metres.
Mucho Gusto all the way for BGLC Trophy
Jimmie, Star Racing Writer
MUCHO GUSTO has picked up 10 pounds in a rematch with the American-bred GOOD CITIZEN for tomorrow's Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Commission (BGLC) trophy race at Caymanas Park but is still tipped to win the $1 million race over 1400 metres.
A hot race is in the making as the 10-horse Open Allowance field also includes last year's champion sprinter, MUSICAL MAESTRO, the ante-post favourite, who was a disqualified winner at 1000 metres straight when dropping down in class from Graded Stakes last week Wednesday.
In addition, up-in-class TOBAGO won strong enough at 1500 metres on July 12, clocking a speedy 1:31.4, to be given every chance after convincingly beating the likes of PRINCE TERRON and AD INFINITUM, who returned last Saturday to win the 2000-metre Joseph Ashenheim Memorial in a fast 2:07.2.
The odds seem stacked against topweight MUCHO GUSTO at 57.0 kilos, considering he had to be ridden out to stave off a renewed challenge from GOOD CITIZEN, at 1200 metres on July 5, after racing clear of the American in the stretch run, while allowing him 10 pounds.
However, the Anthony Nunes-trained runner, who was given a lengthy rest six months after a strenuous classic campaign, finishing second in the 2000 Guineas and Lotto Classic and third in the Derby, appears to be rounding back into form.
MUCHO GUSTO was given a further four-month break after winning his seasonal debut in January, returning to place third behind SMOOTHABILITY and PRINCE TERRON at 1300 metres in May.
MUCHO GUSTO's last workout, 1:00.2 for five furlongs round, suggests the four-year-old gelding is cherry-ripe for tomorrow's showdown.
Champion jockey Omar Walker replaces Shane Ellis, who, following the gelding's short head win over GOOD CITIZEN, said MUCHO GUSTO had started idling after hitting the front, allowing the American to rally.
Walker is a no-nonsense rider, who won't allow MUCHO GUSTO to skip a beat plus Nunes has tightened the screws for his runner's toughest assignment this year.
It's a tough field, on paper, but MUCHO GUSTO, at four-year-old, should get the better of the favourite, six-year-old MUSICAL MAESTRO, who just did not look the part against ASKAWOMAN and NASATOL, taking far too long to put away that field after tumbling from Graded Stakes.
If there's a horse to fear, it must be TOBAGO, whose 1:31.4 suggests he went pretty close to 1:24.0 and change for seven furlongs, a remarkable time, which should not be doubted, considering his margin of victory, almost five lengths, beating AD INFINITUM, who returned to clock a pretty decent time at 2000 metres round.
However, TOBAGO is often inconsistent and could be faulted in that regard, but remains extremely dangerous.
PICK SIX
Track Price Plus Pick-6 players should bank on UNCLE D & ME, ROYALTY, DIPLOMATIC LADY, GEORGETTE TASHA, PRINCESS NESSA and SONNY 'B' GOOD as live shots on the 10-race card.
UNCLE D & ME won't be beaten down in class in the opening event at a mile whereas ROYALTY, who chased home stablemate LITTLE WASP on debut, has returned to work brilliantly, 34.3 on the round course, to be given the nod at 800 metres straight in the second.
DIPLOMATIC LADY closed like a train at 1400 metres on July 19 and should outstay non-winners-of-two at 1820 metres in the third, whereas GEORGETTE TASHA, beaten by the distance last time out, should run rivals off their legs at 1400 metres in the fourth.
Close all bets with SONNY 'B' GOOD sneaking down among $180,000 claimers in the 10th at 1400 metres.