Jimmie, Star Racing Writer

DON LIMPIO could prove champion jockey Brian Harding wrong in tomorrow's 1820-metre eighth race for the Nigel Nunes Memorial feature event.

American-bred DON LIMPIO relishes a distance of ground and is one of three runners being sent to post by trainer Anthony Nunes, who seems hell bent on winning the trophy named in honour of his late father.

However, Harding, Nunes' stable jockey, has opted to partner the filly LA REINA. She has never won beyond seven furlongs and will carry 57.0 kilos against staying colts such as stablemate DON LIMPIO and Governor's Cup winner ALLIEDFORCE.

LA REINA was an impressive winner on August 7 at 1400 metres, beating three-year-olds RAMPAGE and LA REINA in a come-from-behind performance, posting a near stakes record 1:24.4 for the distance.

Harding, STAR Sports sources claim, doesn't fancy riding DON LIMPIO, a strapping four-year-old gelding, who prefers running on the lead, contrary to the Trinidadian's style.

Ignoring DON LIMPIO's proven stamina, Harding has opted for LA REINA, hoping he can rate the local-bred filly down the backstretch and conjure a winning-stretch run after seven furlongs and 25 yards.

Having never gone beyond seven and a half-furlong, LA REINA will have to run the race of her life. The pace will be honest from the start as DON LIMPIO, the mount of front-running jockey, Wesley Henry, loves bowling along before cranking it up a notch leaving the half-mile.

Allowing DON LIMPIO three kilos, LA REINA will be hard-pressed to stay the distance. She worked well last Thursday morning, clocking 1:06.3 for a five and a half-furlong gallop.

However, DON LIMPIO, who got within a length and three-quarter of MIRACLE MAN in the Legal Light Trophy, with Henry aboard, also shone at exercise that morning, posting 1:13.4 in a six-furlong spin.

Jackpots at $1.5m

Surprisingly, there were only two winning Pick-9 combinations on Saturday, each picking up $500,000. The Super-6 was also won, all of 80 correct combinations, each rewarded with $12,900.

HIGH GRADE at 5-1 in the fifth race was the day's longest shot but 5-2 springer LIBERTADOR took out most bets in the ninth event.

The Pick-9 is back at its $1m guarantee, starting at the first race and the Super-6 starts anew with $500,000 at the fourth.

COMMANDING LIGHT and TOTAL MOTION should give Pick-9 players a good start in the first two races.

Facing an ordinary line-up of fellow American-breds, COMMANDING LIGHT should open her account at 1200 metres after chasing home FOUNDINTHEMIST at 1500 metres last Wednesday.

TOTAL MOTION is up in class after beating rivals a rung down the claiming ladder last time out but she returns to $420,000 claiming too light to lose at 1100 metres with only 48.0 kilos.

Use HIDALGO as a Pick-9 beater in the third race at 1100 metres. The distance might seem too sharp but his five opponents have been far from convincing and can be caught.