Phantom Bidder to sip ‘Champagne’

PHANTOM BIDDER has been a model of consistency, and could score back-to-back victories on the turf, when he goes for the Champagne Stakes, feature race on Barbados Tourism Authority Day, fourth of the current Arima Race Club racing season at Santa Rosa Park, Arima, today.

The son of Indian Charlie/Bottina was earmarked for the top since he made his juvenile appearance two seasons ago. And though he failed to  reach the peak he was not disgraced in his races, scoring three victories and finishing among the money nine times from his  other 10 starts.

In five of the events the versatile performer earned the shorter end of the purse, the winner was Sugar Mike, and that in itself speaks volume since the Grant Lourenco-trained star swept all before him with the exception of one race on the turf last season. And for his exploits, Sugar Mike was voted “Horse of the Year 2003” at the Jetsam Awards ceremony ahead of triple crown winner Top Of The Class.

Phantom Bidder was reported to have had some niggling problems last season, but showed they were corrected when scoring a facile victory in an Allowance event on the turf last month. In that event over 1725 metres, he was kept in the shade of the pacemakers and when asked to quicken answered readily to win with something in hand. This John O’Brien-trained four-year-old has also shown at gallops that he has good speed and should not be inconvenienced by the 1600 metre trip of today’s race.

Invincibility is another in today’s 10-horse contest to have shown a likeness for the grass. He ran a blinder to sweep past Napoleon and Miss Lover Lover in winning the Sian’s Gold Sprint on New Year’s Day. That performance must be rated highly since both runners who followed him home over a trip thought to be short of his best, occupied the same positions in the Stewards Cup. Based on that performance, Lourenco’s charge must be respected. Miss Lover Lover will be attempting today’s trip for the first time and could again be in the shake up as this filly has been well laid out for this event.

The Barbados Turf Club Imported Three-year-old Sprint Stakes, which acts as the supporting “big race”  on today’s 10-race programme sponsored by the BTA has the smallest field, but is yet one of the most competitive. While Fabulous Risk and Fantastic Story is expected to head the market, anyone of the five runners could land the spoils in the 1350 metres contest. Punters will have an eye on Irish apprentice Peter Mathers who will have four rides on the day. Mathers will be enjoying a short stay here, part of a package for winning the Pontefract Apprentice Series.

The 22-year-old with 23 victories to his name, has given the thumbs up for his stay here and promised to return next year. And he has also generously donated a saddle to go to the apprentice ajudged by the stewards of the Arima Race Club to have ridden the best race. Patrons attending races at Santa Rosa Park today will also get a chance to visit Barbados and stay at the Gems of Barbados Hotel without having to dig deep in their pockets. Two prizes of two return airline tickets, and accommodation with breakfast for the weekend of the choice could be won by just filling out the entry form on Page 39 of today’s programme and lodging them in marked boxes. The winners will be selected by draw during the races.