Phantom Bidder for President’s Cup

CHAMPION trainer John O’Brien’s charge Phantom Bidder can take honours in the President’s Cup, the first of two feature events on a classy 11-race programme at Santa Rosa Park, Arima, on today’s Emancipation Day holiday.

The Bidder will face just five rivals in the $75,000 staying event, and the American-bred colt who carries the colours of popular owner Nazir Ahamed has outstanding claims in the intriguing 1900 metres test. But claims could be made out for the majority of runners in this race, depending on the angles from which the race is being assessed. The son of Indian Charlie won his first two starts over a distance of ground before his colours were lowered for the first time this season. But although Phantom Bidder’s winning sequence was broken he still appears not to have reached full potential, and seems to be getting better with every race. He was possibly a shade unlucky in being denied a hat-trick when going under to stablemate Millenium Reign, but could not be faulted for his effort, as he was forced into a situation  he was not fully prepared for then. By not allowing frontrunner Outswinger to have his own way, jockey Nobel Abrego took on the the Jack Debideen-trained colt from the off, harrassing him throughout the 1750 metres contest.

Phantom Bidder showed better staying qualities in the closing stages but the early effort took its toll up the stretch, and he succumbed to the strong finish of last year’s Royal Oak Derby winner, going under by two and a half lengths. In that race earlier this month, Phantom Bidder looked a bit heavy returning from a four-month lay off,  but will strip much fitter for today’s battle and can prove too strong for his battle-hardened rivals. Carnival Messiah is expected to set the arly fractions with Ricardo Jadoo, and if not tackled early the 2001 triple crown winner who seems back to his best could provide a major upset. On the other hand, connections of top weight Sugar Mike who has made his mark sprinting, will be hoping for slow early fractions, so he would have enough in the storage tank to be around at the finish. Dottie’s Way, Millenium Reign and Golden Shufleur are not blessed with tactical speed and will only be in with a chance if Invincibility is used up early to ensure the early pace is not false and to keep tabs on Carnival Messiah.

The Oaks Stakes which will be run off  two races later, is another intriguing race. The renewal of this year’s co-feature for West Indian bred three-year-old fillies has a number of class acts entered, among them Firestorm, Sweet Tempo, Golden Honour, Cornerstone and the late developing Millenium Dancer. Firestorm has shown she has the ability to make all the running and enough heart to be there at the end. The Jack Debideen inmate in her last start over 1750 metres posted 1:52.41 to better the 1:53.06 recorded by Midsummer Classic runner-up Celebration Time one race earlier. While it was said that the early half of her race was fast she finished strongly and is napped to record a memorable victory for owner Bernard Dulal-Whiteway.