Reggae 6 calm before Boxing Day storm

UNLIKE WARSAW's 37-1 upset, which turned Saturday's Reggae 6 on its head at the fourth race, resulting in a $64,825 Reggae 6 payout amid four winning favourites of the first five races, Sunday was more subdued with a dividend of $27,652.

Market-springer BLIND VENGEANCE, tumbling to 5-2 for his fourth career start after being kicked out of the betting in his three previous outings, sprung to life with blinkers fitted, literally making all at five and a half furlongs among three-year-old maidens.

There was no other surprise Reggae 6 winner, leading rider Raddesh Roman winning the first two events opening the nine-race card with back-to-back favourites, Anthony Nunes THE REAL IDENTITY and SUCCESSFUL MAN for Errol Burke in the second.

Dane Nelson won the fourth with 3-5 favourite WICKED CASSIE. Michael Cain's RESTORATION stepped down in class to $350,000 claiming company for a hard-fought win over favourite UNDISCOSDLOCATION in the fifth at four furlongs straight.

SHINE FOR ME was always the horse to beat in the sixth, which he accomplished though up to his usual antics of badly drifting to the stands' side in the stretch run, causing anxious moments as BLINDING LIGHT surged forward along the rail.

The Reggae 6 will have a mandatory payout when racing continues on Friday's Boxing Day meet, opening at $6.35 million. Saturday marks the final meet of the season.