Dealer’s Choice to show Derby worth

DEALER’S CHOICE gets a chance to reassure connections ahead of the rich Royal Oak Derby on Republic Day, September 24. This filly, to be ridden by ace apprentice Gary Laban, will have 12 rivals in the curtain event on today’s Arima Race Club Day 26 programme at Santa Rosa Park, Arima. By Kdanzc/Real Windy, Dealer’s Choice is considered a speedy sort, but today’s 1350 metres event for West Indies-bred three-year-olds will be a test of her stamina for the derby race which is over 2000 metres. Turfites will get their second look at the two-year-olds travelling a distance 100 metres more than their first outing. In that 900 metres outing, Arts And Lovers was a very easy winner over Jamaican-bred Flying Millie with Luann’s Passion next followed by stablemate Run Manie Run.

With the winner and second absent from the seven-horse field today, Luann’s Passion from the Maniram “Boboy” Maharaj barn should cruise to victory, since she seems to have gone the right way. But stable companion My Boy Babes have been showing tremendous sparkle on the gallops and must be noted. And there is a whisper out for Embraceable, while another from the Maharaj stable, Run Manie Run could be the fly in the ointment. On what appears to be a very competitive programme, the other race of note for three-year-olds over 1100 metres should go to Sure Honey, runner-up to Mister Hypocrit last time out. But there is a lot to like from Perfect Gem, the very fleet-footed Skippy’s Dream and the finishing dash of Adoring Ruby.

Another very open event is the Restricted Handicap over 1350 metres in which perhaps half of the 14-horse field could take the first prize of $10,500. But most money should be on the Jamaican-bred grey gelding Super Grey. Mandela has been showing consistent form as has been Maid Of Honour, Honor Bound, Naturelly Classy and 2001 triple crown winner Carnival Messiah, despite his top weight of 57.5 kilos. Despite the presence of Dealer’s Choice in the finale, Over And Above is the selection to win it with Cinco De Mayo, the speedy Java In Style and Final Set holding the engagement.