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SOLO BLACK, who the WEEKEND STAR preview warned, "... must be carried on the strength of beating THE GENERAL three Saturdays ago," got punters off to a flyer at odds of 5-1 on Sunday's Reggae 6, which returned $246,536.

Predicting that Sunday's Reggae 6 would have been "no walk in the park", the preview also pointed out, "GIRVANO flew 1:12.3 for six furlongs at exercise last Sunday morning with visor removed, the same morning FRED THE GREAT posted 1:14.0 for the trip."

GIRVANO, running with visor removed, proved that form lines are historical footnotes whereas recent exercise gallops are real-time indicators of fitness and soundness, turning the tables on FRED THE GREAT, who had beaten him by almost five lengths in January.

The preview was almost prophetic, pointing out, "danger lurks in almost every race, making bankers a scarce commodity on what could be a rough day for form purists."

Hence, Sunday's Reggae winners would have taken heed of "considering soundness appears to be an issue with FEARLESS ATTACK, include BUGATTI and RHOSA THE WARRIOR as back-ups".

RHOSA THE WARRIOR landed the gamble with Dick Cardenas but the Reggae 6 dagger lurked in the sixth, Jason DaCosta's SHE'S MYHEDGEFUND, who chased down FINAL LOAD to strike at 19-1 with Anthony Allen, the fourth claiming rider to notch a win in the first six races.

Claiming riders also accounted for both divisions of the King's Plate, proving they are worth every pound of their allowances.

NEO STAR, sold for $2.5 million by the Parsards' Paradise at Spring Village at November's Mixed Sale, ironically outbattled former stablemate and 2022 Gold Cup winner, MAHOGANY, to land division one with Richie Shakes.

MOJITO, the 2023 Guineas winner, made all in division two with Tajay Suckoo to turn back United States-bred UNSPUN, clocking a fast 1:31.2, dwarfing NEO STAR's 1:32.4.

Attempting to slip the field, MAHOGANY made his move at the half-mile marker but was quickly joined by NEO STAR three and a half furlongs out.

Though running strong on the lead, returning off a seven-month lay-up with topweight 126lb proved a tough ask for senior-citizen MAHOGANY against six-year-old NEO STAR carrying 111lb with Shakes.

MOJITO, similar to NEO STAR, benefited from Suckoo taking his weight down to 117lb, which gave UNSPUN, carrying 120lb, no chance of catching him despite a gallant attempt.

Reporting off a near three-month lay-up with Lasix re-administered, MOJITO was not for catching, showing glimpses of the horse that won the 2022 Jamaica Two-Year-Old Stakes as well as Prince Consort Stakes, Kington and 2,000 Guineas in 2023.

Racing continues on Saturday.