Mendez trio look sharp at gallops

MOST  trainers took time off  yesterday giving  their runners a well-deserved rest, while those which made appearances took things light with their charges on both the small and main exercise courses.

With the next day’s racing on Boxing Day, trainers have some time on their hands and possibly may be using this grace period to do their Christmas shopping and other chores. But things are expected to get serious and begin stepping-up later on in the week. Trainer Glenn Mendez’s barn was the only stable to do anything of note. He sent out his juvenile Nowornever to accompany older stablemates Hollywood Star and Tricky Guy, and the trio completed their run over 1000 metres in 1:01.71 seconds. You’ve Got Mail, Second Chances and Space Cadet, another of his batch went much easier over the same acreage, finishing their spin in a handy 1:08.15 seconds. Turfites will have a lot to look forward to on the final 10-race programme to close off  the 2003 racing season on Boxing Day.

They have a chance to see the mega-clash between Top Of The Class and Sugar Mike, the leading candidates for the Horse Of The Year title in the  Guardian Gold Cup. Also featuring on the holiday programme will be the juveniles, who will be divided into two groups, with the colts and geldings vying for honours in the Guardian Life St James Stakes, and the fillies clashing in the Guardian Life St Ann’s Stakes.

Following are gallops recorded yesterday: 400 METRES: Copy Cat - 29.90, pacing; Bon Voyage - 29.99, pacing; Tea Time Doc - 29.94, pacing; Isle Be There - 29.17, pacing.
600 METRES: Foucault Pendulum - 44.93, pacing.
800 METRES: Beautiful Mind - 53.29, handily; Top Of The Class - 56.25, pacing.
1000 METRES: Hollywood Star, Tricky Guy and Now Or Never - 1:01.71, good; Lantern Lady - 1:14.99, pacing; You’ve Got Mail, Second Chances and Space Cadet - 1:08.15, handily.
1200 METRES: Tactical Bid - 1:28, 95, pacing.
1400 METRES: Phantom Bidder - 1:43.11, pacing.