Sugar Mike, ‘Phantom’ shine at gallops

HORSES nominated for the Inde-pendence Cup on September 1, were out in their numbers on the exercise course at Santa Rosa Park , Arima,  yesterday. They showed their form  to early railbirds leading up to the $200,000 Sagico-sponsored event.

Phantom Bidder whose colours were lowered by Sugar Mike in the President’s Cup earlier this month sharpened up for the 1850 metres turf event with a 35.86 clocking over the last 600 metres. The John O’Brian-trained colt started his run from the 1000 metres marker and was reported to have completed the full distance in one minute flat. Trainer Grant Lourenco’s pair of Sugar Mike and Invincibility followed a few minutes later and kept interest alive. They literally lighted up clocker’s corner in their spin over the last 1000 metres of the course which was loose before being watered during the break. The pair stuck to each other as if glued from the start, and was only separated in the last 100 metres when Sugar Mike was urged on by his race-day rider Brian Harding. Sugar Mike drew away by at least two lengths and was the better at the end. The Mike Samlalsingh-owned colt went under the one minute barrier by .70 of a second, recording a 59.30, with his younger companion touching the line in 1:01. Both were afforded “goods” in the ramarks column of the Arima Race Club official clocker’s report.

Smooth Operator has won the majority of his races on the turf and over sprint distances. He will be matching strides with the top stayers in Monday’s Grade One event and had a light round before stretching out over the same acreage in 1:08.92 seconds. Outswinger yet to run a bad race over extreme distances went at a steady clip from the 1200 metre marker to the winning pole in an easy 1:22 seconds. And Golden Shufleur, now racing in owner/trainer Harold Chadee’s colours had a steady run, completing the last 600 metres in 40.57 seconds. Carnival Messiah ducked out from his Saturday engagement won by stablemate Top Of The Class, was seen out in the early hours after the track was opened at 5.30 am. The 2001 Triple crown winner went at a steady pace before quickening over the last 600 metres in 37.77, seconds. Hard Dancer, one of three Barbadian hopefuls which arrived last week, came out from his quarantine barn and acquainted himself with the track, but was only sent jogging.

Following are yesterday’s recorded gallops:
400 METRES: Ex Narciss Toi - 29.15, pacing; Calypso Rose - 26.01, handily; Island Chimes - 26.36, handily; Mighty Rose, Joint Account and French Academy - 25.77, handily; Bold Fapp - 24.31, good; Ex Love Movement- 29.99, pacing; Guardian Angel - 24.05, good.
600 METRES: Phantom Bidder - 35.86, good; What Left - 36.38, good; Kay Gee Bee - 41.77, pacing; Caribbean Princess and Royal Miss - 42.72, pacing; Classy Kim - 37.16, good; Final Set and Hearts Of Fire - 44.62, pacing; Pile Of Cash - 41.03, handily; Living In Hope - 44.05, pacing; Yaa Asantewaa and Underinfluence - 36.20, good; Sure Honey - 39.03, handily; Too Sharp and J D’s Express - 44.99, pacing; Ex Crackajack and Ex Smoothawn - 40.58, handily; Hassan and Caribbean Kiss - 39.67, handily; Carnival Messiah - 37.77, handily; Saadiya - 53.26, pacing; Bold Blush and Rocket Booster - 38.46, handily; Ex Little Rose - 42.06, pacing; Trini To The Bone, Dead Sure and Alamanamou - 43.36, pacing; Ex If You Do, Smart And Lucky and Fabulous Risk - 38.22, handily; Cat Woman - 42.29, pacing; Movietowne Magic - 38.59, easy; Golden Shufleur - 40.57, easy; Fortunate Flag - 42.23, pacing; Sure Wager - 54.79, handily; Bonus Point - 43.15, pacing; Skye - 43.97, pacing; Ex Silver Symphony and Ex Renew The Dream - 39.43, handily; Not This Time, Blue Reign and Florida Flame - 35.17, good; Royal Reality and Zalyam - 38.66, handily; Soui Asylum - 39.71, handily; Be My Hero, Bank Account and Breezy Hill - 42.61, pacing; Balybunion - 37.73, handily; Poetry - 36.39, good; Ooze better than A Grand Old Song - 36.28, good.  .
800 METRES: Tactical Bid - 47.31, good; Super Gray - 50.31, good; Sir Vidia and Cold Risk - 47.98, good; Hundred Percent - 55.56, pacing; Outburst - 54.87, handily; Hunt The Magic - 59.87, pacing; Return To Sender and Samana Song - 59.99, pacing; Finest Gem and Fantastic Lad - 51.58, handily; Regent Boy - 57.08, pacing; Affirm Decision - 50.27, good; My Son John - 58.76, pacing; Mucho Tempo and Blondie - 53.35, handily;  Undisputed - 55.68, pacing; Badpayjamesee - 56.89, pacing; Female Bandit - 52.36, handily.
1000 METRES: Sugar Mike - 59.30, good; Invincibility - 1:01.00, good; Kalyan - 1:02.69, good; Beautiful Mind - 1:02.37, good; Van Nistelrooy - 1:03.09, good; X To Board and V For Victory - 1:10.23, pacing; Toronto Star - 1:04.06, handily; Full Of Promises - 1:05.93; Ruby Scores - 1:08.03, handily; Smooth Operator - 1:08.92, handily; Sweet Tempo - 1:10.36, handily; Not Another Noble - 1:11.50, pacing.
1200 METRES: Outswinger - 1:20.00, handily. The Chairman - 1:22.38, handily. Dunsborough - 1:25.88, pacing.