Thomas, DaCosta set to continue rich form

LEADING RIDER, Anthony Thomas, and trainer Wayne DaCosta are expected to continue their rich vein of form this afternoon with SIR ALTON set to easily brush aside overnight allowance runners in the closing event.

The hot duo combined yesterday for two winners, GENTLE GIANT and WHOSHOTTHESHERIFF, their fifth in two meets after closing last Sunday’s rain-abbreviated eight-race card with a hat-trick.

SIR ALTON posted back-to-back stakes records, 1:04.4 and 1:11.1, for five and a half and six furlongs, respectively, after shaking off the COVID-19 rust at five furlongs straight.

Though run on fast surfaces, SIR ALTON’S victories were still impressive, even if adding a full second to compensate for the track variance, suggesting he is on his way to the top class.

SIR ALTON, carrying an ‘automatic’ 117lb, is shamelessly getting weight from the likes of FORMAL GLADIATOR, GARRINCHA and EL

PROFESOR. PEKING CRUZ and ENUFFISENUFF are burdened with topweight 126lb against the out-of-class foreigner.

ENUFFISENUFF ought to be the exacta horse after his brave run against GOD OF LOVE on September 19.

Meanwhile, Thomas’ t wo winners for DaCosta stretched his lead to nine wins ahead of Dane Nelson, whose drought extended to a fourth straight racemeet.

Thomas, who had nine mounts on the 10-race card, enjoyed an armchair ride astride two-year-old GENTLE GIANT in the seventh at five furlongs straight.

The Northern Giant-Awesome Camille colt clocked 1:00.0 on debut, as the 2-5 favourite, for a six-and-a-half length win, beating four rivals.

The expected match-up between Nelson aboard GENERATIONAL and Thomas astride WHOSHOTTHESHERIFF was shot down by DaCosta’s United States-bred in the ninth race.

WHOSHOTTHESHERIFF led past stablemate CASUAL AFFAIR, coming off the home turn before sprinting clear to complete five and a half furlongs in a quick 1:05.3.

Nelson, who had secured eight rides, left the park early as his mount in the closing event, DE INEVITABLE, was a late non-starter.