Xian flashes speed at gallops

XIAN seems sure to take a hand in the finish of the First Retirement Provider race over 1200 metres tomorrow, New Year’s Day. This once raced maiden three-year-old owned by Clive Belgrave and trained by Glen Emmanuel, displayed his speed in a 600 metres gallop at Santa Rosa Park, Arima, yesterday, clocking 35.8 seconds for the trip. Another to show off his form was the Maniram “Boboy” Maharaj owned and trained gelding Bon Voyage who covered the same 600 metres trip in 36 seconds flat. Game high was a shade slower over the distance, stopping the clock at 37.2 seconds and looked very easy. Ichiban who will be having his second race after a long lay-off, stepped over 400 metres in 24 seconds, while Born To Charm who will be facing Xian in her race, was timed in 24.9 seconds for the trip.

These gallops apart, trainers took things very lightly with their charges, opting for pace work. Music Man and Sweet N’ Beautiful another duo from the Maharaj barn in the three-year-old maiden sprint looked in fine fettle in his gallop over 400 metres in 27.3 seconds. The best run out over 800 metres came from Tea Time Doc who showed a relish for his gallop, completing the trip in 55.3 seconds, while Millenium Reign, an entrant in the First Citizens Bank Caribbean Turf Championship over 1800 metres, was seen pacing over the trip in 57 seconds flat.

Gallops recorded yesterday: 400 METRES - BAGGY GREEN - 28.7; CHIEF COMMANDER - 28.8; COMANCHERO -  28.8; EL PRESIDENTE - 26.7; ICHIBAN Breezed - 24.0;   BORN TO CHARM  - 24.9; JAVA TAKEOVER -  27.8; LIFE IN THE SKY - 28.7; MUSIC MAN -  and SWEET N’ BEAUTIFUL - 27.3; ; OUTBURST 29.5; SONG OF FREEDOM - 29.0; SPEAK THE TRUTH - 28.4; SUPER GREY - 28.1; SYNERGY - 29.1; TOUCH WOOD - 29.9; YAA ASANTEWAA - 29.7.
600 METRES - BON VOYAGE  - 36.0; GAME HIGH  -  37.2;
 JAY-LOW - 44.1; MELANIE MY LOVE  - 38.9;    PEACE MAJESTY  41.6; PREMIER ATTRACTION - 42.8; SUNDAY JEWEL -  40.8; XIAN - 35.8.
800 METRES - BOUND TO DOT COM  - 58.8; MILLENIUM REIGN - 57.0; POETRY -  59.9; TEA TIME DOC -  55.3.