Wave a Fortunate Flag at Arima

FORTUNATE FLAG has begun to blossom and is a name to keep in mind when racing resumes at Santa Rosa Park, Arima, next Saturday.

The American import, with whom great care is being taken, is expected to make his debut next raceday among the Starter Allowance group, and has done everything asked of him in his work leading up to it. The Kenneth De Silva jr inmate won more friends when sent for schooling from the boxes with Finest Gem, an unraced creole attached to the Harold Chadee Stable. Fortunate Flag jumped like a seasoned campaigner and held an early half length advantage over his rival. The well-built individual waited for his exercise partner to get into gear before racing as a team to the 600 metres marker in 36.84 seconds. Gaza Strip who has shown good early speed in his races, went for a refresher course fron the gates with stablemate Maracas Bay.

The Strip showed his customary early speed to register 25.06 seconds between the 1200 and the 800 metre markers, beating off his companion by a full two seconds. Tactical Bid looked in peak condition, and worked as she looked. The Russell Ramsammy-owned filly, not the best performer when the sand is loose, was never asked a question by regular rider Ryan Thomas, on ground she detests but was still able to post 36.39 seconds for the spin. Punto A Punto looked to have come on for his last run, and sent the signal that he is coming back to his best in a handy spin with younger stablemate Super Grey. The pair stuck together from the 800 metre point to the finish line in 54.86 seconds. Queen’s Band, Phantom Menace and Infallibility were others to have worked with some degree of authority.

Following are yesterday’s recorded gallops:
400 METRES: Gaza Strip - 25.06, handily - (boxes); Maracas Bay 27.86, handily - (boxes); Gold Conveyor - 29.95, pacing; The Chairman and Panama Canal - 26.18, handily; Isle Be There - 29.98, pacing; Affirmed Dancer - 29.99, pacing; First Time - 27.21, pacing; Indian Decision - 29.99, pacing; Touch Wood - 29.65, pacing; El Guerrouj - 28.58, pacing; Hyarima - 28.98, pacing; Free Zone - 25.73, handily - (boxes); Redoubled - 24.92, handily - (boxes); Ex-Perhaps Love - 26.60, handily - (Boxes).

600 METRES: Tactical Bid - 36.39, good; Fortunate Flag and Finest Gem - 36.84, good (boxes); Phantom Bidder - 44.31, pacing; Soca Tempo - 44.58, pacing; Invincibility - 39.96, handily; Kalyan - 44.98, pacing; Under Influence - 42.83, pacing; Morgan Heritage - 44.32, pacing; Classy Kim - 44.99, pacing; Tribal Place - 43.50, pacing; Saratone - 39.43, handily.

800 METRES: Golden Honour - 55.39, handily; Guatama and Pile Of Cash - 59.99, pacing;  Maximus - 59.98, pacing; My Son John - 59.93, pacing; Once In A Lifetime - 58.96, pacing; Naturelly Classy - 55.86, pacing; Trini Gold - 53.63, handily.

1000 METRES: Phantom Manace and Infallibility - 1:04.57, handily; Gold Master - 1:14.41, pacing; Sonic Wind - 1:14.91, pacing; Queen’s Band - 1:06.01, handily; Entertainer - 1:13.27, pacing; Hundred Percent - 1:13.39, pacing; Reign of Fire - 1:14.96, pacing;  Boundtodotcom and Freshly Minted - 1:12.96 , pacing;  Fresh Mandate - 1:14.07, pacing; Outswinger - 1:13.67, pacing.