Fantastic Story to be told today

FANTASTIC STORY can gain consolation for his fine effort in the Sagicor Independence Cup Trophy by winning the Stakes and Lower Handicap, feature race on the Arima Race Club Day 27 card at Santa Rosa Park, Arima, today. Beaten a neck by winner Miss Lover Lover, Fantastic Story was noted putting in his best work at the finish of the 1850 metres race on the turf course. The Grant Lourenco-trained colt did not adopt his usual front-running style in the Grade One race, and that may have brought about the problems he encountered in running in the Sagicor race which attracted a trio of runners from Barbados.

After scoring two victories on the trot with featherweight imposts, the son of Atticus/Romantic Story flopped on graduation to the top bracket in the Presidents Cup. Whatever the reason for that failure on the sand, he bounced back to show his well-being last time when switched to the grass. Drawn on the inside Fantastic Story was boxed in on the rails but when extricated by young apprentice Gary Laban, went into overdrive and flew up the straight, just failing to peg back Miss Lover Lover, as the winning post came too soon. With the exception of  Porto Cervo and stablemate Invincibility who finished two lengths adrift of  him in fourth, and the Barbadion trio of Birdie Point, Foxcote and Lion Country, among the also rans last time, Fantastic Story looks the obvious choice to lift today’s top prize in the 1725 metres spotlight race today.

Birdie Point has shown marked improvement for his run in the Sagicor race. He lost momentum after being impeded when in contention and could fight out the runner-up spot with Invincibility. The Starter Allowance event, which precedes the main race has a small but quality field and should pose some headaches for turfites in spotting the winner. None of the six-runner field are without a chance of taking the first prize of $11,000. But the vote goes to Fortunate Flag, who should enjoy the drop in class.