Sugar Mike goes right on turf

SUGAR MIKE used the opportunity to have a feel of the grass at Santa Rosa Park yesterday in his build up toward the most important race of his career, the Barbados Sandy Lane Gold Cup at the Garrison Savannah on March 6.

The five-year-old American bred, voted Horse of The Year at Friday night’s Jetsam Awards at the ballroom of  Hilton Trinidad siezed the chance to get his act of going right-handed together when the course was made available to him, after it was used by runners interested in taking entry in the three turf races framed for next raceday, January 31.

The versatile performer, with champion jockey Brian Harding aboard, had a light preparation, pacing 1200 metres in 1:28.99 seconds under the watchful eyes of trainer Grant Lourenco. Later, Lourenco said he was pleased with the way things have been going with the Bertwin Samlalsingh-owned star, but thinks he will have to be at the top of his game if he is to give Trinidad and Tobago a third hold of the trophy, previously won by Bold Lewis in 1982 and Call To Account in 1988. “He is versatile and has adapted nicely to the change of direction,” he said. “He wasn’t asked to doing anything this morning but will have to be in tip-top shape to compete successfully in such elite company.”

Lourenco went on to disclose that two of the runners set to compete in the 1800-metres contest which has grown in status over the years, are owned by the Maktoum family. Song Of Freedom, another of Lourenco’s runners, who will be on the flight leaving for Barbados next month also had a feel of the grass, as was Bandinthong. The duo who are eyeing prizes in the Sandy Lane Spa Stakes were given different preparations. Song Of Freedom flew over the last 600 metres in 35.18 seconds, while the Steven Jardim inmate paced 800 metres in 55 seconds flat.

Here are gallops recorded yesterday:
400 METRES: Dottie’s Way - 23.77, good; Hassan - 27.17, easy; Groomsman - 26.77, handily; Rhythn Divine - 29.98, pacing; Sweet N’ Beautiful - 26.99, handily; Golden Grades - 29.99, pacing; Super Grey - 28.98, pacing; City Of Lights - 29.92, pacing; Mayaro Breeze - 25.55, handily.

600 METRES: Lovely Honoree - 35.87, good; Song Of Freedom - 35.18, good (Turf); Smart And Lucky - 35.88, good (Turf); Kato, Alert The Ship, Undercover Angel and Lady Banker - 35.50, good (Boxes) - Kato best; Baggy Green - 35.98, good (Boxes); Samana Song - 37.00, easy (Boxes); Comanchero and Privilege - 43.06, pacing; Ex Coo and Private Affair - 39.90, handily; Yaa Asantewaa - 44.96, pacing; Bold Blush, Sunset and Royal Mist - 44.95, pacing; Running Trick - 39.80, handily; Renaissance Man - 44.90, pacing; Kaser’s Gold - 37.74, handily; Undercover Angel - 43.65, pacing (Turf).

800 METRES: Invincibility - 49.61 good; Twice The Jet - 48.96, good (Turf); Skye Skipper - 50.81, handily (Turf); Cyber Five - 50.43, ridden out; Bandinthong - 55.00, pacing (Turf); Sure Honey - 55.83, pacing; Outburst - 56.90, pacing; Pave The Way and Twice Infallible - 58.71, pacing; Speak The Truth - 53.91. Handily; Storming Wind - 58.46, pacing; Rocket Booster and Alamanamou - 51.67, handily; Fabulous Risk and Bound To Dot Com - 53.94, handily; Over And Above - 58.59, pacing; Java Takeover - 59.99, pacing.     

1000 METRES: Mucho Tempo - 1:05.52, handily; Pile Of Cash and Guatama - 1:06.81, handily (Turf); Magen - 1:07.89, handily; Miss Lover Lover - 1:07.07, handily; Outswinger - 1:14.97, pacing; Naturelly Classy - 1:12.30, pacing.

1200 METRES: Tactical Bid - 1:22.47, easy; Sugar Mike - 1>28.99, pacing (Turf).