Sing a Song Of Freedom at ‘Lime’

SONG OF FREEDOM has returned to his best after a below par performance earlier this month, and can take top honours in the feature Brian Lara Starter Allowance dash on the competitive seven-race “Friday Evening Lime” programme at Santa Rosa Park, Arima, today. The son of Boston Harbour was an impressive winner of similar event three weeks after finishing runner-up to stable companion Sugar Mike in a controversial sprint, which marked his 2003 debut. Song Of Freedom was given a smart ride from the front by Roger Freeman and when he kicked for home from the top of the straight, he never looked like being caught and galloped  home three lengths clear of Gold Master.

He flattered to deceive on his return earlier this month and was beaten by the Jack Debideen-trained runner up. But a case could be made out for the powerful built four-year-old, as he did not look a picture that day and failed to match the winner’s burst up the stretch. Trainer Grant Lourenco has left nothing short in his preparation for today’s encounter which will be watched  by former West Indies cricketing greats Sir Vivian Richards and Jamaica Ambassador at Large Michael Holding, and in peak condition should take nearest rival Movietowne Magic and his three other opponents off their feet from start to finish in the 1100 metres event on the turf course.

Lady Honoree had been a handful to train earlier on but seem to have curbed her bad habits. She showed reformation last week when making all the running to score her maiden success over 1100 metres against a bunch of imported three-year olds. The Harold Chadee inmate has an abundance of early speed, and if handled  the same way could be on the mark again in the Ricky Ponting Restricted Handicap, co-feature on the small but interesting card. Trainer Sydney Otway has produced only one winner from 15 starts out his small stable this term, but the affable conditioner could buck that trend with Baggy Green in the Glenn McGrath maiden event for West Indian-bred three-year-olds.

The gelded son of Vandross ran on with purpose to take second from a wide run up the straight last time out. He looked to be a horse with a bit of scope, and with normal progress could hold off his rivals in the 1350 metres contest. Also expected to attend today’s  ‘Lime’ are  members of both the Australian and West Indies cricket teams, who are here for the fourth and fifth Cable & Wireless One-Day Internationals at the Queen’s Park Oval tomorrow and Sunday. And fans will get an opportunity to meet and greet their favourites as an authograph session has been arranged in the winners’ enclosure.