Tactical Bid, Sure Ting brighten dull morning

SURE TING and Tactical Bid brightened up the exercise course at Santa Rosa Park, Arima, yesterday morning which was ordinary by normal standards, and which recorded a fatality. Tactical Bid who began stepping up her paces last week for her First Evergreen Starter Allowance event on Thursday, breezed over 800 metres yesterday, completing the trip in 48.08 seconds under the watchful eye of trainer Cyril “Grey Patch” Arneaud. The Russell Ramsammy-owned filly seemed to have come on for her first open gallop on Christmas morning, and was full of life at the end of the spin which started on the backstretch and ended at the winning line.

Sure Ting which appeared in the first session before the course was raked and watered posted 49.84 seconds over the same acreage to also attain a “good” in the remarks column of the Arima Race Club official clockers report. Space Cadet, an unraced member of champion trainer Glenn Mendez stable, broke his right hind leg after completing his spin over 600 metres in 36.78 seconds in  company with Bonus Point. The three-year-old, listed to make his debut in the First Escalator Optional Claiming $7,500 event, came to a halt after the far turn, where he was unsaddled by apprentice rider Gary Laban. He was then nursed to the lasix barn by his groom to await a veterinarian and was later put down.

Yesterday was a far cry from Sunday when most trainers were seen sharpening their runners. Kalyan who will be ridden by Quincy Welsh in the last of the three Jockeys’  Championship races, sped over 600 metres in 36.52 seconds. But her quick showing was bettered soon after by trainer Maniram “Boboy” Maharaj’s pair of maidens, Music Man and Sweet N’ Beautiful with a 35.39 timing over the same distance. Miss Lover Lover and Sweet Tempo chose instead to brightened up the 800 metres course. The Stewards Cup runner-up showed her well-being stepping the trip in 49.68 seconds, while Sweet Tempo completed the gallop in 48.92.

Following are gallops recorded - YESTERDAY: 400 METRES -  Euro Star - 24.07, good (boxes); Jay Low - 27.05, easy (boxes); Peace Majesty - 29.98, pacing; Saratone - 29.92, pacing; Sou Sou Moni - 29.99, pacing; Dragon Lady - 29.92, pacing; Bound To Dot Com - 29.91, pacing; Invincibility - 29.94, pacing.
600 METRES - Bonus Point and Space Cadet (broke leg) - 36.78, good; Squeezed Moment - 37.40, good; Millenium Reign - 44.40, pacing; Tea Time Doc - 44.97, pacing; Love Till I Die - 44.98, pacing.
800 METRES - Tactical Bid - 48.08, good; Sure Ting - 49.84, good; Royal Red - 52.39, handily; Ichiban - 59.89, pacing.
1000 METRES: Shezabute - 1:11.22, pacing.
SUNDAY: 400 METRES -  Finest Gem and El Presidente - 25.00, handily; Ima Sakha - 29.19, pacing; Speak The Truth - 29.98, pacing Friendly Lover - 29.55, pacing; Moulin Rouge - 28.99, pacing; Determinator - 28.98, pacing.
600 METRES - Music Man and Sweet N’ Beautiful - 35.39, good; Kalyan - 36.52, good; Outburst - 37.08, good; Smooth Operator - 36.70, good; Cat Woman - 41.50, pacing; Squeezed Moment - 37.90, handily; Female Bandit - 42.17, pacing; Final Set - 39.45, handily; Ichiban - 44.86, pacing; Native Love - 38.38, handily; Ring Dang Do, Sou Sou Moni and Private Affair - 41.86, pacing; Space Cadet, Golden Grades and Bonus Point - 39.59, handily; Damon Ronwin - 37.80, handily; Bound To Dot Com - 44.06, pacing; Yashoda and Piece of Cake - 40.30, handily.
800 METRES - Miss Lover Lover - 49.68, good; Sweet Tempo - 48.92, good; Lady Rossie and Crimson Tower - 50.50, good; Return To Sender and Mir On Fire - 50.18, good; Gaza Strip - 55.74, pacing; First Time - 59.98, pacing; Bon Voyage - 51.72, handily; Lady Banker - 57.1`2, pacing; Spin N’ Squeeze - 52.92, handily; Saucy Wow and Ex Iador - 53.45, handily; Sea Spider - 52.02, easy. Dutchess Trembley - 51.89, handily.
1000 METRES - Game High - 1:02.67, good; My Son John, Carnival Messiah and Dauntless Hero - 1:01.73, good; Naturelly Classy - 1:13.95, pacing; Touch Wood - 1:13.01, pacing.
1600 METRES: Daurian - 1:57.95, pacing.