O’Brien bullish about Phantom Bidder

TRAINERS have completed all preparations with their runners in the feature Sagicor Independence Cup, and  the stage is set for an anticipated 1850 metres race on the turf course at Santa Rosa Park, Arima, tomorrow. With the presence of three Barbados-owned runners among the 13-horse field, it guarantees a maximum purse of $200,000, having met the criteria of a three-tier system put in place by the sponsors.

Should only one line-up in the event, however, stakes money will be sliced in half, and if  none of the Bajans face the starter, then prizemoney will revert to the orioginal $75,000. Most trainers were tight-lipped when asked about their chances of  taking the top slice of the purse. And  those with fancied runners have been exuding  confidence in their charges. The Barbadian team of Feet On Flames, Lion Country and Hard Dancer, having had a feel of the grass course on which they will travel left-handed are quietly confident they can spring a surprise. The camaraderie shown by our Caribbean neighboura in answering the call to compete, shows a healthy sign and could be the spark to re-ignite the inter-island rivalry in horseracing.

This inter-island rivalry has been sadly lacking in recent times, either because of improper organisation or the steep travel cost. Grant Lourenco has the strongest hand in the field with Sugar Mike and Invincibility in the Grade One event. Sugar Mike is likely to start favourite, based on his outstanding record this year. From five starts, this versatile son of Ponche/No Sugar have won four over varying distances. His winning sequence was only broken in the Indian Arrival Day Turf Handicap, beaten into fourth by Outswinger, Dottie’s Way and stablemate Invincibility, three rivals he will face off  with. The manner in which Sugar Mike disposed of his opposition since that time tells the tale of  the massive progress made. Sugar Mike should only be opposed on the perception that he is a much better horse on the sand track than the turf, and could be vulnerable against the youngster speedsters who  handles the tighter turns and undulations better.

Trainer Lourenco thinks very  highly of  his other runner Invincibility, and feels the three-year-old has time on his hand and will be better over the longer trips with time. John O’Brien  who won the event with Chanticleer, Adawar and Golden Shufleur over  the last four years was bullish about his chances of lifting the Cup again with Phantom Bidder. When asked about his chances, the champion trainer laughed and responded by opening the race programme on the page with the record of past winners. He then settled in soon after and said his charge is firing on all cylinders. And comparing the weight with Sugar Mike,  thinks Phantom Bidder would reverse the placings of their last meeting and add another notch to his race-winning belt in a race which has been growing in status since being sponsored by insurance firm Sagicor Outswinger, another fancied runner in the event is unbeaten on the turf. His preparations going into the event has been tepid, which gives the impression  that something is amiss. But trainer Jack Debideen is master of the art of getting his horses right for the big occasion, and the frontrunning Outswinger who handles the tight bends well and who is also blessed with fighting qualities,  must not be discounted.