None to beat Sugar Mike in ‘Dash’

UNBEATEN this season at Santa Rosa Park, Arima, Sugar Mike goes for his seventh win on the trot in today’s feature Santa Rosa Dash Handicap. And despite his welter burden of 60.5 kilos, last season’s Horse of the Year looks quite capable of keeping his successful run intact in the 1200 metres race with a total purse of $75,000. Last time out as now, Sugar Mike gave away weight all around in the Eric “Colt” Durant Memorial Handicap, his first race back after a failed attempt at the Sandy Lane Gold Cup in Barbados, and scored by half length over 1750 metres. Although the trip today is sharper, the Sweet One should strip fitter now and  has the initial speed and powerful finishing kick, and with champion jockey Brian Harding astride, should land the $45,000 winner’s prize.

Dual course record holder Smart And Lucky should pose the biggest danger to Sugar Mike today, and Invincibility also holds the engagement. Speedy Caribbean Kiss and Dauntless Hero are the ones with the best outside chance along with the consistent Miss Lover Lover, but the vote goes to Sugar Mike. It looks all over bar the shouting for triple crown winner Top Of The Class in the sub-plot event, the Stud Farm Association National Stakes over 1800 metres. But one cannot discount Man Of Class and that cagey handler Maniram “Boboy” Maharaj. And Derby winner of two years ago, Millenium Reign, holds the engagement along with Golden Honour. The vote here goes to Top Of The Class to win this $60,000 race following her brilliant preparatory gallops. The Arima Race Club have put together a very attractive 10-race programme and turfites will be put to the test to find winners.