A Top Of The Class gallop at Santa Rosa

TRIPLE CROWN hero Top Of The Class sent out another warning shot that he intends to make a stout run at the $75,000 winner’s purse in the feature Guardian Gold Cup on Boxing Day, December 26, with another stunning gallop yesterday morning. Not many horses were seen out on the sloppy Santa Rosa Park, Arima, track on the morning, but the illustrious son of Freshly Squeezed/Crescendo who also went on to win the Caribbean Champion Stakes, lit up the course over a 1000 metres gallop. At the end, The Student had railbirds tongue wagging, when they realised his time for the trip was an effortless 1:01.7 seconds.

The manner in which Top Of The Class shaped yesterday morning suggests he will not be easily beaten by ace sprinter-stayer Sugar Mike or any other in the 2000 metres race, especially if the rains keep falling. Two-year-olds Second Chances and Space Cadet both holding the engagement for the St James Stakes, stepped lively over 600 metres in the splendid time of 36.3 seconds. But horse from the Maniram “Boboy” Maharaj barn took things very lightly, with speedster Salsa Moves stepping 600 metres in 44.9 seconds, the same time given to stablemate and older Smooth Operator. The 2001 triple crown winner Carnival Messiah also looked very steady in his work over 600 metres in 44.9 seconds. And Due Dilligence posted the same time for his gallop over the same trip. Ichiban who ran very well after a long lay-off was very keen in his gallop over 400 metres, completed in 28.9 seconds, the best on the morning.