Stewards Cup outsiders send warning signals

TRAINERS have done everything required to get their charges ready for the Betting Levy Board Stewards Cup, and the stage is now set for an exciting running of the prestigious event highlighting the penultimate card of the Arima Race Club’s current racing season at Santa Rosa Park, Arima, tomorrow. Cash Wager, Napoleon and Sugar Mike, who occupied the top spots in last year’s edition of the Grade One event, dubbed the Sprint Championship of the Southern Caribbean, go into the event in top condition. Based on their previous performances, the trio could well be expected to head the betting market in the 1,200 metres showpiece on the main course.

But the manner in which some of the lesser lights have performed in their closing preparations indicate the battle is not a three-way contest as being perceived, and have given the event an open look and a feeling that surprises are in store. Senor Gucci represents the youngest of four generations in the pack. The bay daughter of Way West/Grand Old Song have performed reasonably well in her three starts, but may not be considered hardened enough for such a tough test. But she has shown willingness to do well, posting 47.40 seconds for her 800 metres gallop in company with My Son John on Sunday, and closed off on Wednesday, breezing over the last 1,000 metres of the course in 1:01.96. Fortunate Flag has not run up to his early promise, but the Kenneth De Silva-trained three-year-old showed spark on Sunday, covering 800 metres in 47.84 seconds, and returned on Wednesday in blinkers to light up the course over 600 metres of  the backstretch in 33.67, in company with triple crown winner Top Of The Class. Movietowne Magic had a light preparation on Sunday, but showed his well- being out of  the boxes on Tuesday.

Sent for schooling from the boxes, the Derek Chin-owned colt had the better of the exchanges with stablemate Sure Ting, the pair posting 34.38 between the 1,200 and 600-metres markers. Miss Lover Lover, who goes into tomorrow’s event seeking a hat-trick of victories chose to leave her best for last. The Edmund De Freitas-trained three-year-old turned up late yesterday morning to posted 1:02.42 over the last 1,000 metres of the course, racing five-wide throughout.

YESTERDAY: 400 METRES: Tuzami - 27.17, handily; Fabulous Risk - 25.00, easy; Bound To Dot Com and Privilege - 28.58, pacing; Dutchess Trembley - 29.00, pacing; Samana Song - 25.21, easy (Boxes); If Only - 29.16, pacing; Mandela - 29.58, pacing.
600 METRES: Sure Wager - 41.67, pacing; Jay Low - 43.61, pacing; Redoubled - 43.83, pacing; Super Grey - 44.95, pacing; Grey Warrior - 41.27, easy; Twice The Jet - 44.11, pacing; Peace Majesty - 40.14, handily; Casrnival Messiah - 43.14, pacing; Kato - 44.93, pacing; Fresh Honey - 39.03, ridden out; Takeover and Speed  - 44.41, pacing; Return To Glory - 44.93, pacing; Seaham Harbour - 40.81, handily.
800 METRES: Indian Takeover - 58.70, pacing; Outswinger - 58.71, pacing; Reign Of Fire - 54.1`2, handily, Tricky Guy - 59.99, pacing.
1000 METRES: Hundred Percent - 1:05.32, handily; Skylite and New Star - 1:05.89, handily; Miss Lover Lover - 1:02.42, handily.
WEDNESDAY: 400 METRES: Mister Hypocrit and Sunday Jewel - 23.39, good; Music Man - 24.78, good; Hyarima - 28.78, pacing; Tricky Guy - 29.17, pacing; Grey Warrior - 28.97, pacing; Jay Low - 29.07, pacing; Undisputed and Fantastic Story - 27.48, handily; Hyarima - 28.78, pacing.
600 METRES: Top Of The Class and Fortunate Flag - 33.67, good (Boxes); Richie Rich - 42.97, pacing; Puntoi A Punto - 43.99, pacing; Sugar Mike - 42.81, pacing; Bound To Dot Com - 43.46, pacing; Redoubled - 43.73, pacing; Ballybunion - 37.14, handily; Reign Of Fire - 39.80, handily; Sweet And Beautiful - 39.95, handily; Fruition - 40.23, easy; Full Of Promises - 37.55, handily; Majestic - 38.73, handily; Commanchie - 44.70, pacing; My Son John - 39.41, handily.
800 METRES METRES: Saman Song - 59.93, pacing; Fabulous Risk - 59.99, pacing; Piece Of Cake - 57.41, pacing; Space Cadet and Golden Grades - 56.56, pacing; Francesca - 55.96, pacing.
1000 METRES: Senor Gucci - 1:01.96, good; kalyanm - 1:02.61, good. Super Grey - 1:14.93, pacing; 
TUESDAY: 400 METRES: Crimson Tower - 24.76, good; A New Song - Peace Majesty and Ex Honour And Glory - 23.58, good (Boxes); Carnival Messiah - 29.96, pacing; Sweet And Beautiful - 28.80, pacing; Sunday Jewel - 29.14, pacing; Bon Voyage - 28.36, pacing; Full Of Promises - 29.07, pacing; Francesca - 29.99, pacing; Man Of Class - 28.65, pacing; Laura’s Boy - 28.23, pacing; Never Ever Worrie - 28.88, pacing; Ex Iador and Ex Crescendo - 28.27, pacing; Tuzami - 29.93, pacing.
600 METRES: Movietowne Magic and Sure Ting - 34.38, good (Boxes). Cash Wager - 34.81, good; Moulin Rouge - 44.31, pacing; Strawberry Hill and Give Me Something - 41.70, pacing;
800 METRES: Stormy Season - 54.43, handily; Golden Grades and Space Cadet - 57.17, pacing.