Losing favourites boost Reggae 6 payout

A QUARTET of losing favourites - WAH A GWAAN, EASY MONEY, FEELING FREE and BASILICUS - helped to boost Saturday's Reggae 6 dividend, $94,335, ahead of this weekend's mandatory payout, expected to reach $35 million on Mouttet Mile Day.

Though there was no double-digit upsetter on Saturday's Reggae 6, the risk of carrying one selection (banking) in dodgy races had most bettors using minimum two selections per race, including favourites, four of whom did not deliver.

DREAM TO REALITY's November 22 gallop, 1:01.1 out the straight, alongside three-year-old MISS MONEYPENNY, made him hard to beat as an 8-5 favourite in the Reggae 6 opener at five furlongs straight.

Despite his glowing exercise form, DREAM TO REALITY prevailed by only a half-length from 20-1 outsider, CRYPTOGIRL, who was among five selections suggested in last Friday's preview column, which noted that the Reggae 6 opener could spring a surprise.

Readers were also warned to resist banking first-timer LONDON SPIRIT in the second event for two-year-old maidens despite his pedigree, a full brother to 2000 Guineas and St Leger winner, BLUE VINYL.

The event resulted in Richard Azan's pair fighting out the finish, 3-1 chance DARWIN chasing down his well-bred stablemate, MO PAI, foaled by Money Magnet, a decent sprinter who twice won the Eileen Cliggott Memorial and other trophy events such as the Reggae Trophy and Saint Cecelia Cup, circa 2016-18.

EASY MONEY dropping in on a $1 million claim tag with leading and champion jockey Raddesh Roman in the third, amid trainer Anthony Nunes keeping the stakes distance between himself and Jason DaCosta close, appeared to be easy money for the three-year-old at five and a half furlongs.

However, EASY MONEY could only manage third, well beaten by 2-1 market-springer, WARSAW, who made all after showing speed in his previous race at six and a half furlongs.

THE LEVITICUS landed the fourth as an 8-5 favourite, closing to cut down DREAMER'S CORNER. The fifth was won by ASCEND, a victory that reminded bettors to take careful note of equipment changes and horses returning with lasix administered.

The sixth was always between two horses, BASILICUS and PHOENIX RISEN, whomever reported fitter. PHOENIX RISEN outsped HEIR OF FIRE with BASILICUS holding third.