Phantom serves Cup notice

Phantom Bidder gave notice yesterday to his opponents in the upcoming Presidents’s Cup that he intends to pick up the winning tread in the 1850-metres highlight on Emanicpation Day (August 1).

This intention was made with a telling display of speed on the gallops course at Santa Rosa Park, Arima yesterday. The three-year-old son of Indian Charlie, who lost his unbeaten run this season to stable companion Millennium Reign in the dying stages of  a Stakes and Lower Handicap, showed fire over the last 800 metres of the course turned sloppy by early morning showers. The dark bay, noted for his staying powers  posted 47.80 seconds for his run witnessed from the stands by trainer John O’Brien. O’Brien, smiling from ear-to-ear, was pleased with the manner in which his stablestar went about his business under Wilmer Galviz. The jubilant trainer stated that Phantom Bidder has come back well since his defeat earlier this month and is brimful of confidence of lifting the Cup in winners’ circle next Friday.

Fortunate Flag was another from the upper league to have enjoyed the ground conditions. The Kenneth De Silva inmate was all over Crimson Tower, whom he had for company posting 35.01 seconds for the effort over the last 600 metres to the winning pole. Sunday Jewel continues to show rapid improvement and went into the notebook soon after she completed her run. Schooling from the boxes with Laura’s Boy and Melanie My Love, the daughter of Java In Flight/Indian Gem flew out of  the boxes ahead of the pair and opened up a gap which was never bridged Timed between the 1200 and 600-metre markers, Jewel registered 35.61, with his  juvenile companions trailing in at 38.12 seconds. Chief Of Staff and Spin N’Squeeze were others to have showed enthusiasm in their work The pair went at a nice clip from the 600 metres pole and hit the winning line in 37.01. Bonus Point and Hollywood Star also caught the eye in their spin over 1000 metres (1:02.17), and Wild Life in her posting of 1:16.92 second over 1200 metres.

Following are yesterday’s recorded gallops.
400 METRES: Indian Take All - 29.50, pacing. Fantastic Risk and Sir Steven - 28.99, pacing. Honor Bound - 28.97, pacing. Pile Of Cash 25.51, handily. Ex Musical Cascade and Ex Be Quick At It - 28.79, pacing. Silk Runner - 29.16, pacing. French Academy and Ex Sarah - 28.93, pacing. Ring Dang Do - 29.86, pacing. Maid Of Honour - 29.17, pacing. Ex Rio Rita - 29.34, pacing. Tea Time Doc - 25.89, handily. Serah’s Trick - 29.83, pacing. Ex Roulette and  Ex Moonlight - 29.91, pacing. Bound To Fly - 28.88, pacing. Ex Coo, Ex Willshewon’tshe and Ex Rhythmis Dancer - 29.91, pacing. Alex - 27.31, pushed out.
600 METRES: Fortunate Flag and Crimson Tower - 35.01, good - Fortunate Flag better. Chief Of Staff and Spin N’ Squeeze - 37.01, good. Firestorm - 44.88, pacing. Guatama - 44.99, pacing. El Presidente - 42.56, pacing. Trying Something - 40.65, handily. Speedfuhso - 44.98, pacing. Ex Caribbean Princess and Ex Her Majesty - 44.09, pacing. Undisputed - 44.98, pacing. Isle Be There - 44.68, pacing. Hyarima - 44.38, pacing. Under Influence - 42.67, pacing. Travel Agent - 38.87, handily. Fortaleza - 40.15, handily (Boxes). Salsa Moves and Java In Style - 37.69, handily (Boxes). Splitting Image - 43.42, pacing. Sunday Jewel - 35.61, good, (Boxes). Laura’s Boy and Melanie My Love - 38.12, easy - (Boxes). Bound To Dot Com - 43.99, pacing. Beautiful Mind - 38.58, handily.
800 METRES: Phantom Bidder - 47.80, good. Sweet Laura Lee - 57.86, pacing. Invincibility - 58.32, pacing. Golden Honour - 56.89, pacing.  
1000 METRES: Bonus Point and Hollywood Star - 1:02.17, good. Golden Boy - 1:12.44, pacing. Preffered Share - 1:06.70, handily. 
1200 METRES: Wild Life - 1:16.92, good. Fantastic Lad and Finest Gem - 1:25.89, pacing. Running Trick - 1:23.10, handily. Full Of Promises and Golden Shufleur - 1:20.77, handily.