Lucky 7 for Top Of The Class

Top Of The Class will race from a central position in Wednesday’s (Republic Day) Royal Oak Derby at Santa Rosa Park, Arima. The Glenn Mendez trainee, who captured the Easter Guineas and Midsummer Classic, the earlier legs of the this year’s triple crown series, will seek glory from the seven hole in the 2000 metres  classic for West Indian bred three-year olds. The position was selected for the Merlin Samlalsingh-owned colt by Mendez at the draw for post positions of the prestigious event, held yesterday at the Glass Room of the House of Angostura Limited, Laventille. At the function Colin Carty, Brands Manager of Angostura Limited said it will be the 17th year his firm will be sponsoring the biggest racing day of the racing calendar. He said  the regional event attracts people from all over the Caribbean and with contenders from Barbados for the event, it is going to be exciting. He went on to state that Royal Oak Rum, established since 1824 is one of Angostura’s finest rum and it is only appropriate that the brand be associated with such a prestigious event like the Derby.

Gerrard Ferreira, President of the Arima Race Club, in his address said many owners feel they have the trump to win Wednesday’s “big race”, rated the best on the calendar. He also threw the ball into the court of the sponsors who has the full day’s card, asking them to also plough funds in the Nursery Stakes and the Diamond Stakes, the other supporting highlights on the holiday programme. Ferreira was also happy for the support shown by Barbados. “They have answered our call to renew rivalry in the event. “As we develop and create interest, we must try and organise a more dependable and less costly transport, to become more attractive,” Ferreira said. Mendez has a wealth of three-year-old talent in his barn and is well represented in the staying contest with four runners. Besides the ante-post favourite, the knowledgeable conditioner who swept the tri-part series with Carnival Messiah two seasons ago also has the responsibility of saddling My Aphrodite, Sweet Tempo and Celebration Time in the Grade One event worth $200,000. 

My Aphrodite, in the colours of Shaun Sammy will start from gate three, with more fancied stablemates Sweet Tempo and Celebration Time set to open gates eight and 12 respectively. The versatile Sir Vidia will race closest to the rails having drawn the number one slot with Due Dilligence, the champion two-year-old of last season, lining upfrom the extreme position in the 15-strong contest. Three Barbadian entrants will be in the line-up when the red light flashed for the start of the Wednesday’s highlight. Sweet Dreams, trained by past champion jockey Challenor Jones will break from gate four, while Ginger Bay, who arrived on Monday for the tough assignment is loading in nine; and Royal Red  a Jamaican bred, owned by Barbadian pool magnate Elias Haloute, which finished fourth in the Bajan equivalent at the Garrison Savannah is in 10.

Draws were also made for runners in the Diamond Stakes, a supporting highlighht on the Angostura sponsored card on Republic Day.  Sugar Mike, who has swept all before him on the main course this season to position himself as a possible “Horse of the Year” candidate drew the No 2 slot for the 1350 metres contest. The American bred four-year-old will be sandwiched by Smooth Operator on the rail and Miss Lover Lover on his outer in the extended sprint. The trio will be followed in order by Man Of Class, Movietowne Magic, Gold Conveyor, Phantom Menace and Invincibility.  Following are the post positions, runners, owners, trainers and jockeys for both events.