object not sticking to tracker

I'm flummoxed. I'm relatively new to using the fcpx tracker, but have had it work up until today.

I have no idea what I'm doing wrong. So any help appreciated.

This is simple stuff. I have a png image I need to track with an object.

The tracker box works perfectly and produces a good result that moves and scales right.

BUT I just cannot, for the life of me, get the graphic to follow it. I hit the tracker button on top. I see the object tracker for the base track, and select it. NOTHING happens. object just sits still.

I've dragged it onto the viewer directly, selected the tracking area, and analyzed it again. Nothing.

I really don't know what is the matter with this. What/where should I check for some faulty setting? I've looked up and followed every tututorial and it should just work, but it doesn't.

I'm on a Mac Studio, most recent system and fcpx updates. No indication of errors or anything.

:-(

any troubleshooting tips?