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Jimmie, STAR Writer
DOUBLE THE HONEY is too speedy and classy to be beaten with Shane Ellis now aboard in tomorrow's 1000-metre straight open allowance, even though carrying top weight 57.0 kilos in the nine-horse field.
Throw DOUBLE THE HONEY's last two races out the window, both were races in which his stable companion, CASSANOVA BOY, appeared to be the go-to horse for trainer Wayne DaCosta.
Both were middle-distance races, 1300 and 1500 metres, in which CASSANOVA BOY was the choice of first-call rider Ellis, indicating the stable's preference over DOUBLE THE HONEY.
In fact, DOUBLE THE HONEY was even fitted with a visor last time out, September 7, at 1500 metres in an attempt to run a scorching pace against COMMANDING CHIEF.
That move backfired as CASSANOVA BOY was no match for the local-bred COMMANDING CHIEF and had to settle for second even though DOUBLE THE HONEY carried splits of 1:11.4 into the lane.
Back to sprinting tomorrow, DOUBLE THE HONEY has been primed for 1000 metres straight. The four-year-old American speedster zipped the distance in 59.1 two Saturdays ago and returned to breeze three furlongs in 35.1 last Friday.
Up to five months ago, DOUBLE THE HONEY was too hot for open allowance, winning two races at the distance and narrowly losing third before being promoted to grade one where he lost close races to the three best horses in the country then - SAINT CECELIA, RONRON and DANCE SO SWEET.
Therefore, the likes of SARAGOSSA, even though coming in light at 51.0 kilos with red-hot Dick Cardenas, just graduating to open allowance after beating SIR JAADU BABA and the filly PALACE GOLD, won't be any match for DOUBLE THE HONEY - a horse allowed to drop class after three big efforts in grade one.
Ellis should have at least four winners on tomorrow's nine-race card as he tries to regain ground on Dick Cardenas who reeled off a six-timer on Saturday to move five clear in the jockeys' championship.
In addition to DOUBLE THE HONEY, he also looks good aboard SOCA PARTY in the first, NEVER GIVE UP in the second and PERFECT LADY in the fourth.
Form players should add ROSE GOLD and MOHEGAN SON and PRINCE OF ARABIA to what could be a four-timer for Ellis. It's an ambitious accumulator but that's where the big money is.
