Dane Nelson

SUNSHINE BOY ran a big race in the tongue tie when sprinting upside derby-bound TYPEWRITER on May 9, making him hard to beat at five furlongs on the round tomorrow afternoon.

Trainer Gary Subratie first tested SUNSHINE BOY in the tongue tie in the 2000 Guineas and watched as the dark bay colt raced prominently to the top of the lane, turning for home ninth, but only six lengths off the lead.

Having gauged SUNSHINE BOY in the tongue tie in the 2000 Guineas on April 9, Subratie attempted to land the gamble a month later but ran smack into TYPEWRITER, who posted a fast 1:13.1 for 1200 metres.

Racing alongside SUNSHINE BOY down the backstretch, TYPEWRITER parted ways with Subratie's runner approaching the home turn and went after long-time leader LASHING FORCE, who he dispatched with ease in the stretch run.

SUNSHINE BOY turned for home third and went second a furlong out but lost the runner-up spot on the line to AQUAMOTO, rallying after being hindered along the rail.

Leading jockey Dane Nelson is back aboard SUNSHINE BOY, who Subratie hasn't asked to do too much at exercise since, opting for two easy gallops, obviously not wanting to attract the clockers' prying eyes.

However, SUNSHINE BOY's form has already been exposed, more so his two big runs in the tongue tie.

Breaking from post-position two, he will have the speedy filly SHE'S SO SPECIAL to contend with on the lead from stall one, as well as MAKIN BOP getting away from gate three on his outside.

MAKIN BOP's winning time on last, 1:15.2 for six furlongs, shouldn't trouble SUNSHINE BOY, but being sandwiched by the quick fillies, Nelson will have to be decisive approaching the half-mile or risk traffic problems.

Even though SHE'S SO SPECIAL looked smart on last, leading for six furlongs before being overhauled by MOM'S SECRET and company, she is up in class and sitting too close to the colt - getting only three pounds from Subratie's runner.

Another banker on the 10-race card is Anthony Nunes' ELECTRIFYING. She went really fast last time out in a duel with SMOKIN MAN, cutting each other's throat at 1000 metres straight for SAGA BOY to capitalise.

She has no matching speed tomorrow, and though breaking from the rail should be a lonely winner under Dick Cardenas.