Go French Academy for Royal Oak Derby

IT will be Jamaica vs Trinidad and Tobago in this year’s 73rd renewal of the Royal Oak Derby. And local trio French Academy, Melanie My Love and Mucho Tempo are strongly fancied to repel the challenge of invaders, Jamaica Guineas and Oaks winner Latonia, Oaks runner-up Seattle Sue and Jamaica Derby fourth Uram. But French Academy has pleased in her preparations and could take her exercise form on the racecourse to give trainer John O’Brien a third Erby victory at Santa Rosa Park, Arima, today. O’Brien has a record second to none in this classic since the centralisation of racing at the Arima plant in 1994, and though the leading trainer has been seeing some lean times in the feature events lately, could notch today’s jewel to add to those posted in 1999 with Groomsman and Millenium Reign in 2002.

O’Brien, is strongly represented in today’s 2000 metres feature, saddling four of the 14 runners in the prestigious event, elevated to the richest on the local calendar after Angostura Limited answered the call from the Arima Race Club for increased sponsorship of the day, which usually attracts a full house and betting always seems to surpass previous handles. The local rum manufacturers, also responsible for the famous flavouring Angostura Bitters since 1824 have upped the Derby purse in the Grade One race to $250,000, and this lured the three Jamaican runners. And Angostura also brought the Nursery Stakes for juveniles, under their unbrella, as the supporting event on today’s 10-race programme. Apart from raging pre-race favourite French Academy, the past president of the ARC will saddle Chief Commander, a vastly improved runner for whom Panamanian jockey Nobel Abrego has opted ahead of  Takeover.

He also has the responsibility of sending out Seattle Sue, one of the Jamaican invaders. The Jamaicans are not to be taken lightly since their record speak for itself. On the three occasions Jamaica sent runners for the Republic Day classic, twice they left with the top prize, first with Mr Lover Lover in 1996, followed by a record breaking performance by Terremoto. From appearance since their arrival on Tuesday, and what was seen on film,  Latonia looks the pick of the lot. Much Tempo also holds an outstanding chance of lifting the main prize in today’s local “Run for the Roses.”
The Harriram Gobin-trained colt lost some lustre after a poor showing in his last start. But the son of Freshly Squeezed/Up Tempo has picked up a lot since that below par performance and must not be written off, as he looked very keen in his workouts leading up to today’s race and could well spring back into prominence.

Melanie My Love and Kato have performed with distinction this season. But the duo which filled the top two spots in the Midsummer Classic seems to be going into the race with minor problems, which will weaken their chances. There is a superb support programme to the feature with the Angostura Aromatic Bitters Nursery Stakes taking the limelight early on the card. This 1200 metres run for the two-year-olds in which the winner will bank $30,000, looks to be a straight fight between Arts And Lovers and Luann’s Passion. Arts And Lovers was an easy winner of the seasonal opener for the “babes”  over 900 metres, beating the Maniram “Boboy” bred and trained Luann’s Passion into third position. But The Java In Flight/Bobs Passion filly bounced back to win over 1000 metres, although Arts And Lovers was not in the field.