Sugar Mike a big Gold Cup flop

TRINIDAD and Tobago’s “Horse of the Year 2003” Sugar Mike was an abject flop in yesterday’s 23rd running of the Sandy Lane Barbados Gold Cup in neighbouring Barbados. The American-bred colt went into the event as one of the favourites to capture the 1800 metres race worth BDS$114,000 to the winning owner, and never gave the small band of Trinidadians including Arima Race Club president Gerard Ferreira and owner Bertwin “Mike” Samlalsingh any hope before finishing one before last. The race was won by another American-bred seven-year-old Kathir ridden by Bajan jockey Slade Callaghan, who took up the lead with 400 metres left and scooted clear to win eased up.

Feet On Flames who contested the lead with Sharp Impact most of the way, kept on to get second with Talkaboutlucky rallying for third and Storm Hunter gaining fourth money. At home, at Santa Rosa Park, Arima, Miss Lover Lover led 300 metres out and raced away from Phantom Bidder to land the feature Allowance race over 1725 metres on the turf course. Guatama who came to challenge 400 metres out, failed to go through with his run and settled for third while Fortunate Flag was fourth. It was a grand day in the saddle for Panamanian jockey Nobel Abrego who guided home four winners on the nine-race programme, while apprentice Gary Laban landed two.

And trainer Rohit Dube was topped his peers saddling three winners, while Maniram “Boboy” Maharaj had two. Because of the small fields yesterday, dividends were very small except when Moulin Rouge led home Jay-Low, Peace Majesty and Hassan for a superfecta payout of $9,822.00, with the trifecta (first three) paying $1,336.00. Biggest dividend on the tote came on Creme Caramel $9.80 and $2.40