O’Brien juveniles set tongues wagging

TRAINER John O’Brien has a wealth of juvenile talent in  his stable and with only four days of the current racing season left, has begun to step up their preparations with the hope of introducing them in  time to acquire some knowledge before the start of the three-year-old season. The champion trainer seemed to have concentrated more on his imports and has already hit the mark with Smart And Lucky and Fabulous Risk. Both horses, earmarked to be stars, had tongues wagging with smart displays on their debut, posting  hand-times for distances which bettered the standing electronically timed records. The duo appeared on the exercise gallops course in a match-up yesterday and literally lit it up the track with their 46.92 clocking over 800 metres. But after such an exciting performance from the two future stars, one would hardly think that the stable which was seeing lean times a few months ago  could have churned out others of comparable note.

But one had to be on the premises to witness the performance of Nazir Ahamad unraced import Grey Warrior, and some of the locally bred juveniles to believe there was more to come. Grey Warrior was sent in company with the once raced Tuzami and Millenium Reign and their efforts saw them posting 35.87 seconds over 600 metres, which attained “good” in the remarks column of the Arima Race Club official clockers report. But while the more experienced duo were matching strides up the stretch on the outside, the inexperienced juvenile, on the inside rail was seen under tight  wraps of  leading jockey Brian Harding. Action from the locals came soon after in their schooling session out of the gates. O’Brien’s trio Angelion, Takeover and Euro Star had Jack Debideen’s Over And Above for company. Angelino opened the boxes like a seasoned campaigner and held the advantage throughout their 600 metres spin to post 34.46 seconds, while his companions trailed home in 37.16 seconds.

Following are gallops recorded yesterday:

400 METRES: Lady Banker - 23.71, good (Boxes), Twice The Jet - 23.08, good (Boxes), Explosive Suzie, Blondie, Ex Jarama and Bold Woman - 23.52, good (Boxes),  Premier Attraction, ExWindy Romance and Le Fabulex Dancer - 23.40, good (Boxes); Samana Song - 29.48, pacing; Isle Be There - 27.25, handily; Pave The Way and Arumur - 24.62, good; Mister Tick - 25.35, handily; Albert The Ship, Kato and Ocean Surf - 25.36, handily. Articka - 27.84, easy (Boxes).
 
600 METRES: Surer Wager - 35.49, good; Ring Dang Do and Super Grey - 36.71, good; Napoleon - 35.94, good; Ballybunion - 35.90, good; Angelino - 34.46, good (Boxes); Takeover, Euro Star and Over And Above - 37.16, good (Boxes); Tizami, Millenium Reign and Grey Warrior - 35.87, good; Skye Skipper - 42.89, pacing; Selah Boy - 39.58, handily; Kohonis - 44.98, pacing; Desert Rose - 37.87, handily; Fortunate Flag - 38.58, handily; Hundred Percent - 41.66, pacing; Van Lou - 40.70, handily; Peace Majority - 40.89, handily; Final Set - 39.16, handily; Moulin Rouge, Green Light and Speed At Last - 43.75, pacing; Undercover Angel - 39.45, handily.

800 METRES: Now And Never and Ex Love Movement - 50.09, good; Fabulous Risk and Smart And Lucky - 46.92, good; Mucho Tempo, Fromnowuntil - 49.41, good, City Of Lights - 50.40, good;  Daredevil Hero - 51.64, easy; Cat Woman - 55.25, pacing; Phantom Menace and Undisputed - 52.73, handily; French Academy and Privilege - 51.27, handily; Little Maniram - 53.55, handily; Rocket Booster - 51.61, handily; Danzc With Class - 53.05, handily; Francesca - 56.41, pacing; Crimson Tower - 59.70, pacing; Alibi Iki and Return To Glory - 53.74, handily; Trini To D Bone and Elamanamou - 53.84, handily; Geisha Girl - 56.43, pacing; Sure Ting - 55.00, handily; Principle - 54.22, handily; Mutola - 51.78, handily.

1000 METRES: Senor Gucci and Ex Miss D D Walton - 1:01.23, good; Pyrite Tale - 59.42, good; Song Of Freedom 1:00.93; good; Punto A Punto - 1:05.14, handily; Isle Be True - 1:06.66, handily; Redoubled - 1:11.21, pacing; Peace Of Mind - 1:14.61, pacing; Baggy Green - 1:11.25, pacing; Movietowne Magic - 1:05.23, handily; Maracas Bay - 1:04.35, handily.