Sugar Mike, The Phantom battle again

EMERGING star Sugar Mike and Phantom Bidder are set to renew their rivalry in the Group 2 Diamond Stakes over 1350 metres on Wednesday, Royal Oak Derby Day. But this time, Bertwin Samlalsingh’s four-year-old will be handing out 8.5 kilos to his rival, 3.5 more than when The Phantom was soundly beqten into 11th place in the Sagicor Independence Cup over 1850 metres on the turf course. Sugar Mike was handed the welter burden of 60.5 kilos by handicappers Wayne Shockness and Robin Jaisingh, with Miss Lover Lover, making a return after a long lay off, being the bottomweight with 44 kilos.
 
Notably absent from the 13 horses for which final subscriptions were paid are the old Iron Horse, Chanticleer, who was beaten out of sight on Saturday last in the 1800 metres Stud Farm Association National Stakes, and the grey Napoleon, popularly called The Emperor. Three runners for which final subscriptions to the Royal Oak Derby were paid, Affirm Decision, Loud Music and Naturelly Classy, have taken entry in the Angostura 1919 Rum West Indies-bred three-year-old and over Winners and West Indies-bred four-year-old and over non-winners of three races 1,200 metres event. Heading the handicap in this event is Lady Rossie, a clever winner on Saturday last with 56.5 kilos, while topweight in the 1100 metres Angostura 1824 Rum Restricted Handicap for West Indies-bred three-year-olds and over winners and Imported three-year-olds and over on the turf are Sure Wager and Splitting Image, both with 56.5 kilos.

But should this race be shifted back to the main course, then Sure Wager will tote 55 kilos and Splitting Image 54.5. Meanwhile, after Top Of The Class scorched the Santa Rosa Park, Arima, track on Sunday, it was back to business as usual with trainers taking things relatively quiet as they prepared for Wednesday’s Royal Oak Derby Day. It was Sunday Jewel’s chance to shine on the gallops on Monday morning, and the Maniram “Boboy” Maharaj two-year-old filly showed she was ready for all in the $50,000 Nursery Stakes over 1200 metres. The Java In Flight/Indian Style offspring, beaten into third by stablemated Java In Style and Java Takeover last time she stepped onto the track, flash her speed over 400 metres in 24.3 seconds. Upset All was best of those seen out over 6 00 metres in 38 seconds, while Uncle Joe and Not This time went over 1000 metres in a decent 1:05.5 seconds.

Here are Monday’s gallops:
400 METRES - CHAMPAGNE WAGER - 29.9; INDIAN GAME - 29.9; SUNDAY JEWEL - 24.3.

600 METRES - BEAUTIFUL MIND - 41.0; UPSET ALL - 38.0; MELANIE MY LOVE - 43.3. 

800 METRES - CELEBRATION TIME -53.4; YOU’VE GOT MAIL - 53.4; NEVER EVER WORRIE - 52.0; REDOUBLED - 52.0; 
1000 METRES - NOT THIS TIME - 1:05.5; SIR VIDIA - 1:08.9; UNCLE JOE - 1:05.5; BELMONT VALLEY - 1:09.9.
And here are the weights issued for the three handicap events:

RACE 5 - ANGOSTURA 1824 RUM RESTRICTED HANDICAP -1100 METRES (TURF) - Sure Wager 56.5 (55); Splitting Image 56.5 (54.5); Honor Bound 55.5 (56.5); Bandinthong 54.5 (54.5); In Swinger 53.5 (53.5); Crimson Tower 52.5 (53); Game High 52 (52); Bazodee Gal 52 (53); Mandela 52 (52); Ruby Rich 51 (49); Patti’s No Angel 49 (49); Bajan Connection 48.5 (48.5); A Firm Relief 48.5 (48.5); Rhythm Divine 48.5 (48.5); Emelda M 47.5  44.5); Notanothernoble 46.5 (46.5); New Star 46 (47); Living In Hope 45 (45); Guardian Angel 44.5 (44.5).  Weights in brackets if shifted to main course.

RACE 7 - ANGOSTURA 1919 RUM W.I. BRED 3 Y.O. & OVER WINNERS & W.I. BRED 4 Y.O. & OVER NON-WINNERS OF THREE RACES - 1200 METRES - LADY ROSSIE 56.5; BEAUTIFUL MIND 56; fRANCESCA 55; Naturelly Classy 54; Time To Fly 53; Loud Music 52.5; Affirm Decision 52.5; Gettesburg 51; Cornerstone 50; Wild Life 50; Baggy Green 48.5; Upset All 48; Tora Bora 47.5; Hollywood Star 47.5.

RACE 9 - DIAMOND STAKES - 1350 METRES - Sugar Mike 60.5; Phantom Bidder 52; Invincibility 51; Movietowne Magic 49.5; Man Of Class 49.5; Gold Conveyor 48.5; Smooth Operator 47.5; Miss Lover Lover 44.