Any of six can win the Guineas

ELEVEN exciting races are carded for Santa Rosa Park, Arima, tomorrow, among which are two features which will hold the full attention of turfites,  the Union Park Turf Club Guineas and the Southern Sales and Service Group of Companies Eric “Colt” Durant Memorial Handicap. Both events to be contested over a distance of ground have attracted the cream of the crop. The Guineas, which represents the first leg of the triple crown has the top West Indian-bred three-year-olds, and the Durant race has brought together all the stars from the top bracket.

Pave The Way was the champion of last year’s juvenile crop and was touted early to be a likely triple crown winner, but as fate would have it the Junior Sammy-owned colt injured himself at gallops and was forced onto the sidelines. His absence has given tomorrow’s 1800 metres Grade One event an open look, and have brought out a spring in the steps of some trainers, who now believe they are in with a chance of  lifting the trophy and banking the $75,000 winners’ purse. While it has been proven time and again, that, past performances doesn’t count, at least six of the 13 classic contenders have favourable claims, and because of it are expected to be among the market leaders. Among that list are Mucho Tempo, Melanie My Love, French Academy, Over And Above, Fast Company and Kato.

Mucho Tempo won the first race framed for his age group around two turns this season. This son of Freshly Squeezed/Up Tempo is owned by Rupert Leong Poi and Merlin Samlalsingh, the same partnership to have captured last year’s edition of the triple crown with Top Of The Class. Using waiting tactics in his next start in the Flamingo Stakes, Mucho Tempo showed a good turn of foot to go past his rivals, some of which he faces today, a clear indications he would not be troubled by the trip. Melanie My Love stumbled on leaving the stalls in the Gleneagle Stakes, but recovered nicely in the 1800 metres contest to gain the lead for a short time before being swallowed up by French Academy up the straight, to be beaten one and three quarter lengths.

The daughter of Tribal Chieftain/ Melanie Samantha will have benefitted from the experience, and being a half sister to Indian Music, winner of this event in 1996, and Indian Primeminister, the 1997 Tobago Derby winner, should give another game performance. French Academy had shown fractious tendencies early in her career, but is now less headstrong, when being lead down to the start early. Bred in the United States and foaled in Trinidad, the daughter of  Louis Quatorze/Hermosa has shown she has good tactical speed and the ability to stay, and must command respect although she will be up against some tried and tested colts in the event.

Over And Above is bred in the purple to Boristenes/Fascination (by Nosf-eratu). The dark bay colt was given a gentle introduction over trips short of his best, and his first sign of class came over 1350 metres in the Royal Colours Stakes, where he finished third to Pave The Way. Given a distance of ground against maiden company, he stalked the pace with the top impost of 56.5 kilos and when given his head, drew off to win with a great deal of  authority, only to be  disqualified, when it ws discovered  he weighed in 2.5 kilos short. His style of running will force his rivals to keep an eye on him, since he is definitely on the improve and is the type to make every yard of the running.

Fast Company has come on with his races, and in his last start over 1750 metres he quickened under jockey Brian Harding where it mattered most, and showed no signs of stopping, and based on that performance could be a factor. Kato continues to improve with every race. The chestnut son of Kdanzc/ Kate’s Cure ran a blinder in the Flamingo Stakes, finding only the finishing speed of Mucho Tempo too good. The Kenneth de Silva jnr-trained colt has shown the same fighting inclinations in his work heading into tomorrow’s event which promises another good showing.