Millenium Reign can steal feature

MILLENIUM REIGN can steal the show in today’s Allowance feature on the Arima Race Club Day 14 card at Santa Rosa Park, Arima. The five-year-old has shown fair form in three starts to date, finishing fourth in the Caribbean Turf Championship, and runner-up in an Allowance event before being sent off as the 3/1 third favourite in the Starlight Stakes. He ran a blinder in the closing stages of the latter, but as hard as the 2002 Royal Oak Derby winner tried in the 1350 metres contest he found the winning line coming too soon. Although he was found wanting in the early stages of the extended sprint, definitely short of his best, he still managed to finish two and a half lengths back of the winner, Phantom Menace.

Phantom Menace franked the form soon after with a late burst of speed to almost snatch the Arima Race Club Cup, won by Daredevil Hero in record time. The gelded son of Freshly Squeezed/Renata’s preparation was well mapped out for today’s race. And at 50.5 kilos, he is well in at the weights with the likely fancied runners Top Of The Class and Tactical Bid, who hold victories over the ex-derby winner. But Millenium Reign’s chances look even rosier with the booking of competent apprentice Gary Laban, who helps to shed a further three kilos off his allotted poundage. And with every sign in his favour, he should be able to turn the table on his  two prior conquerors by posting with victory in today’s 1750 metres race which holds the spotlight on the 10-race programme.

Triple crown winner Top Of The Class has shown he has not lost his appetite for racing with some pleasant reminders on the gallops. Today’s race will be his first in almost five months. But the top money earner of all times, having banked the CLICO $1 million bonus for winning the three classics and the Caribbean Champion Stakes, will have his work cut out in this event and will have to be at his best to start on a winning note. His problems lies with having to contend with Tactical Bid on the front end and still have enough in reserves to stave off our top choice. Movietowne Magic can enjoy a welcome change of luck in the Restricted Handicap three races earlier. The son of DJ Cat/Double Pump has given himself too much to do with tardy breaks in both starts this term. An even break in today’s 1200 metres sprint could see him opening his account to give Laban the first feature double of his career.