Bank on Nebuchadnezzar, Summer Palace in Super 6

ROCKED by THE SOUL WARRIOR's stunning reversal of form to land the second event at odds of 99-1, Saturday's Reggae 6 mandatory payout of $10.7m to winning tickets blindsided form players.

Showing absolutely no sign of form since claimed from Phillip Lee for $350,000 as a third-place finisher behind runaway-winner LET HIM FLY and NALA'S BUSHMAN at seven and a half furlongs on August 1, THE SOUL WARRIOR completely upturned what started as an innocent-looking Reggae 6 with GOOD CONSCIENCE as a comfortable winner of the opening event.

Perennial bridesmaid ROCK-OLA finished third, beaten a nose by a neck as the 3-2 favourite in a three-way photo, CHESNEY turning tables to finish second.

Some connections will never understand the benefits of a claiming rider, Michael Marlowe abandoning nine-pound bug jockey, Dane McKenzie, who would have ridden ROCK-OLA at 112lb, in favour of Shane Ellis at 121lb.

After beating maidens easily on September 14 with McKenzie, back-to-back losses had Marlowe second-guessing the claiming rider, instead booking heavyweight Ellis, ignoring the fact that ROCK-OLA was up in class among non-winners of two races.

FRED THE MASTER, touted as a banker in last week's column, was undone by Robert Halledeen's indiscipline aboard what would have been an easy winner, unnecessarily hindering NUCLEAR JET, which led to his disqualification, another nail in Reggae 6 bettors' coffins.

Start Saturday's bet by selecting the three speed horses at four and a half furlongs straight, BIG GUY IN THE SKY, QUEEN ZAN and SUDDEN FLIGHT. May the soundest horse win.

SENOR BISCOTTI was hundred along the rail when closing with BIGGER BOSS, both beaten by TIA MARIA at six furlongs on November 16. Use both at seven furlongs in the Abbie Grannum Memorial. Note, especially, BIGGER BOSS returning treated with lasix.

Gang the third at five and a half furlongs for $500,000 claimers, using BIG ARGUMENT, TURNONTHELIGHT, T BRADY, BAD INVESTMENT and RHOSA THE WARRIOR.

Imported two-year-old maidens in the fourth have been gunning the exercise track. However, don't try splitting first-timers whenever they appear close in ability at exercise. Therefore carry Anthony Nunes' pair, PRODIGIOUS POWER and PHENOMENAL POWER, along with Jason DaCosta's PEPPER STEPPER in the five-and-a-half furlong event.

Close the Reggae 6 with a pair of bankers, Nunes' NEBUCHADNEZZAR in the fifth with Dane Nelson and DaCosta's SUMMER PALACE, Halledeen to make amends in the sixth after being caught by HAZELNUT at six furlongs.

REGGAE 6

Race 1: 4, 6, 9

Race 2: 2, 4

Race 3: 1, 2, 6, 8, 9

Race 4: 3, 7, 8

Race 5: 7

Race 6: 2

TOTAL: $1,500

TWILIGHT 6

Race 5: 7

Race 6: 2

Race 7: 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9

Race 8: 2, 6, 9

Race 9: 2

Race 10: 1

TOTAL: $150

PLACEPOT 8

Race 3: 1, 2, 6, 8, 9

Race 4: 3, 7, 8

Race 5: 7

Race 6: 2

Race 7: 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9

Race 8: 2, 6, 9

Race 9: 2

Race 10: 1

TOTAL: $2,700

BEST THREE

Race 6: Summer Palace

Race 9: Zuu Warrior

Race 10: Midnight Galaxy

OUTSIDER:

Race 7: Sippin On Sunshine