Sugar Mike sweet in Cup spin

Sugar Mike, who will be vying for the “Horse of the Year” title with Top Of The Class at next month’s Jetsam Award function yesterday advertised his claim on the exercise course at Santa Rosa Park, Arima.

The Grant Lourenco inmate, beaten once this term from eight outings, exposed his credentials leading up to his Stewards’ Cup engagement on Saturday. This was in a polished run over the last 1000 metres of the main course under regular partner Brian Harding. The four-year-old son of Ponch/No Sugar was never asked a question by his rider as he sailed smooth through his work in one minute 1.20 seconds, which proved best on time for the distance on the morning. Cash Wager and Napoleon, the first and second placed finishers in last year’s prestigious sprint is set to renew rivalry in this year’s edition for which 14 runners were left in at the final subscription stage. Connections of both hopefuls have chosen to send the duo over a similar distance to Sugar Mike.

Cash Wager, who was on the mend for the major part of the season looked in immaculate condtion since his first outing last month. The Roland Khan-owned five-year-old went at handy clip under Nobel Abrego to post 1:05.02 seconds. Napoleon, edged out for the main prize last year came out later in the morning and reminded railbirds of his ability, quickening over the last 400 metres of his 1000 metres work to stop the clock in 1:01.90. Fortunate Flag, Senor Gucci and My Son John, who are expected in the line-up to oppose the top trio chose the 800 metres trip to open their wind-pipes. Fortunate Flag matched strides with Selah Boy before easing away near the finish in 47.84 seconds, while the latter two posted 47.40 in their match.

Following are gallops recorded yesterday.
400 METRES: Lovely Honoree - 23.78, good; Sweet And Beautiful and Bold Woman - 23.89, good (Boxes); Ruby Rich - 28.98, pacing; Aishwarya and Care Free - 28.86, pacing; Silver Bullet - 29.97, pacing; Movietowne Magic - 27.17, handily; Bound To Fly - 29.15, pacing; Melanie My Love - 28.96, pacing; Top Of The Class - 29.02, pacing; Bon Voyage - 26.00, easy; Due Dilligence - 26.62, easy; Retired Banker - 28.17, pacing; Outrageous Victory and Blondie - 25.59, handily; Laura’s Boy - 28.33, pacing.

600 METRES: Mystile - 37.03 good; Golden Honour - 36.18, good; French Academy - 35.67, good (Boxes); It’s A Groove - 36.00, good (Boxes); Fabulous Risk - 33.71, good (Boxes); Speed At Last and Jay Low - 38.75, handily; Phantom Bidder - 39.64, handily; Hearts On Fire - 44.08, pacing; Pile Of Cash - 37.28, handily; Daredevil Hero - 44.95, pacing; Sunday Jewel - 44.99, pacing; Mandela - 43.90, pacing; Crimson Tower - 40.70, handily; Peace Majesty - 43.18, pacing; Ex Iador and Ex Crescendo - 43.90, pacing; Man Of Class - 38.77, handily; Tuzami - 42.58, pacing; Final Set - 37.45, handily.

800 METRES: Royal Red - 49.64, good; Fortunate Flag and Selah Boy - 47.84, good; Senor Gucci and My Son John - 47.40, good; Francesca- and Ex Coo - 52.90, handily; Bound To Dot Com - 57.10, pacing; Our Impulse and Twice The Jet - 54.00, handily; Isle Be There - 55.11, pacing; Dottie’s Way - 59.67, pacing; Kato - 58.53, pacing; Underdinfluence and Kaser’s Gold - 51.86, handily; Seaham Harbour - 57.78, pacing; Champagne Wager - 57.89, pacing; Full Of Promises - 50.88, handily; Outswinger - 55.27, pacing; Samana Song and Danzc With Class - 54.00, handily; Son Of Freedom, Pave The Way and Fantastic Story - 55.99, pacing; Sweet Tempo - 59.75, pacing; Bandinthong - 53.06, handily; Premier Attraction - 59.93, pacing.

1000 METRES: Sugar Mike - 1:01.20, good; Super Grey - 1:01.89, good; Napoleon - 1:01.90, good; Cash Wager - 1:05.02, handily; Bonus Point and Celebration Time - 1:05.83, handily; Return To Glory - 1:07.27, handily; Reign Of Fire - 1:13.98, pacing.

1200 METRES: Cold Risk - 1:2.15, pacing.