Dottie’s Way on form for Sagicor

DOTTIE’S WAY has not run up to her true mark this season but sent out signals she is returning to her best with a decent display of speed on the exercise course at Santa Rosa Park, Arima, yesterday morning. The four-year-old bay filly excited her connections by drilling the last 1200 metres of the sand course in 1:17.10 seconds to be best on time for the distance. The Kenneth De Silva Jnr-trainer American-bred filly enjoyed a good season last year but had to sit out the early part of the current one nursing injuries. Dottie’s Way finished at the tail of her field on her first appearance in the Arima Race Club Cup in April, and has only three minor placings against her name from four other starts.

First sign the four-year-old daughter of Fordway/Headed North showed she was enjoying her racing again came in her last turf outing, when she finished with a flourish to grab third in an 1100 metres Allowance event, a trip thought to be short of her best. Dottie’s Way made a quick return in the President’s Cup but proved she was not quite ready to compete in the top league, finishing last of six runners in the 1900 metres event won by Sugar Mike. The filly showed some life in a previous gallop prior to her spirited display yesterday, and with her confidence growing could make a bold bid in the Sagicor Independence Cup on Tuesday. Barbadian invaders listed to race in Tuesday’s “big race”  turned out soon after the track was graded.

And the trio worked separately, seeming to enjoy the long steady preparation given. Birdie Point who will race from the five hole in the 11-horse contest went fastest, stretching his legs over 1200 metres in 1:20.77 seconds. But yesterday was not without mishap, as Xian who was to be among the starters in the Sagicor Home Achievers maiden event dropped dead in the backstretch after completing the same trip in 1:28.96 with jockey Kennedy Jadoo astride. Salsa Moves, Crack Shot and Murphy’s Law were others to sparkle in their work on the morning. Salsa Moves galloped 600 metres in 35.17 seconds, while Crack Shots was timed in 36.16 to show they were ready for their assignments. Murphy’s Law sped over the last 400 metres of the course in 24.02 seconds.

Gallops recorded yesterday: 
400 METRES: Murphy’s Law - 24.04, good; Peace Of Mind - 261.3, handily; Ex Charlotte Box and Fame And Glory - 26.96, easy; Joint Account - 27.17, handily; Foxcote - 27.10, handily; Ex Valid Krissy - 29.16, pacing; Private Affair - 29.00, pacing; French Academy - 29.06, pacing; Melanie My Love - 28.81, pacing; Carefree - 29.81, pacing; Sweet N’ Beautiful - 28.95, pacing; Ex Solid Claim and Ex Angel Again - 29.99, pacing; Really Quiet - 29.97, pacing.

600 METRES: Salsa Moves - 35.17, good; Carckshot - 36.16, good; Saucy Wow - 38.29, handily; Return To Sender - 40.74, handily; Java Takeover - 39.98, handily; Aishwarya and Fran’s Choice - 39.53, handily; Lady Secret - 44.98, pacing; Java In Style - 43.53, pacing; Ex Leading Edge - 43.82, pacing.

800 METRES: Tricky Guy - 59.98, pacing; Top Of The Class - 59.70, pacing; Morgan Heritage - 56.95, pacing.

1000 METRES: Seaham Harbour - 1:06.15, handily; Politics - 1:13.13, pacing; Maid Of Honour - 1:14.98, pacing; Mandela - 1:13.97, pacing; Invincibility - 1:14.71, pacing.
   
1200 METRES: Dottie’s way - 1:17.10, good; Birdie Point - 1:20.77, easy. Xian - 1:28.96, pacing (Dead)