Debideen’s Gold Master looks solid

GOLD MASTER has shown himself to be a speedster of note and must be shortlisted for future sprint races this after scoring a comfortable victory in the Starter Allowance feature on the Arima Race Club Day 13 card at Santa Rosa Park, Arima,  on Saturday.

Well turned out for the 1000 metres event, the Jack Debideen-trained three-year-old son of Gold Fever was in the shade of the early pace set by odds-on favourite Song Of Freedom and stablemate Miss Lover Lover. And when given the office by jockey Larry Munoz approaching the corner sealed the issue with a strong run up the stretch. His time of 1:07.13 was nothing to shout about, but the manner of victory against the duo who both scored handsomely in their previous starts is a clear indication of his quality. The nine-race card also put smiles on the faces of  trainer Bennett P. Nurse and apprentice Richard Mangalee.

First Love who scored in the second event on the card gave Nurse his first win since he renewed his trainers’ badge earlier this year. And in the follow-up race, three-kilo claimer Richard Mangalee felt the joy of winning when he broke the ice on his 24th ride aboard Groomsman. He had won two starts back with Groomsman but was relegated to second after a stewards inquiry, which found him guilty of irresponsible riding. Toronto Star was another eye-catcher on the programme. The Bertram Dookeran inmate going over a distance of ground for the first time, showed his opponents a clean pair of heels from the off and maintained the advantage to the line. The Junior Sammy-owned colt had a number of tried and tested rivals in his wake in the 1750 metres contest and looks capable of handling a step up.

Trainer Glen Mendez who took the training honours on Saturday sent a signal to his peers that he will be a force to be reckoned with in this year’s championship race. Mendez made his intentions known with Sweet Tempo and Carnival Messiah, whom he conditioned to success late on the card. The winners have rocketed the triple crown winning trainer to the top of the trainers standing with 12 wins for the year so far. Champion trainer John O’Brien who has been having a lean spell of late got on the scoresheet with Hannibal’s Will. That victory took his tally also to 12, but trails Easter Guineas winning trainer Mendez on second placed finishers.