Golden Grades set to make the grade

SPEEDY Golden Grades, returning after a one-month lay-off sprinted 400 metres in the good time of 24.54 seconds at the Santa Rosa Park, Arima, as trainers continued preparation of their charges for Saturday’s racing yesterday. The three-year-old American-bred filly was best on time for the trip on a fast track, made so by overnight showers. Another to show he was rounding into form for his engagement was Music Man who stepped 600 metres in a handy 39.48 seconds. And Chief Of Staff continued to show improvement, galloping 1000 metres in 1:05.21 seconds very handily. Last year’s triple crown winner Top Of The Class took things easy yesterday,  as he paced 1000 metres in 1:14.94 seconds, following Monday’s workout over the same trip in a handy 1:08.91 seconds. Also on Monday, the improving Karzai was sent over 800 metres and returned in 55.20 seconds. But the best run over this trip came from Bound To Dot Com who was clocked in 54.02 seconds, while Paula’s First was a shade slower in 54.60 seconds.

Gallops recorded yesterday: (Going fast) -  400 METRES: CELEBRITY JET  - 29.93 handy; CHAMPAGNE WAGER  - 29.95 handy; DUNSBOROUGH  - 29.15 handy; GOLDEN GRADES  - 24.54 good; LIFE IN THE SKY  - 28.33 handy; NOBLEMAN  - 29.96 handy.  
600 METRES: BOLD AS BRASS and LIT D’AMOUR  44.99 handy; 
MUSIC MAN  - 39.48 handy; BORN TO CHARM  - 43.76 handy; CROWN POINT  - 44.97 handy.
800 METRES: 2SHARP  - 59.98 handy; BOUND TO DOT COM - 54.75 handy; SUNDAY JEWEL  - 55.05 handy.
1000 METRES: CHIEF OF STAFF  - 1:05.21 handy; EX-DINNER SILENCE  - 1:13.24 handy; HYARIMA - 1:13.78 handy;  JOINT ACCOUNT  - 1:13.82 handy; TOP OF THE CLASS  - 1:14.94 handy. 
Gallops recorded Monday: (Going fast) -  400 METRES: BAJAN CONNECTION  - 24.70 good; CAREFREE  - 29.94 handy; GROOMSMAN  - 29.90 handy; MISTER HYPORCRIT -  25.03 good; SPIN N’ SQUEEZE  - 29.99 handy; SURE WAGER  - 29.98 handy.   
600 METRES: 2SHARP  - 44.93 handy; GOLDEN GRADES  - 43.06 handy;  JOINT ACCOUNT  - 44.96 handy; REALLY QUIET  - 43.98 handy.    
800 METRES: BOUND TO DOT COM  - 54.02 handy; KARZAI - 55.20 handy; PAULA’S FIRST  - 54.60 handy.   
1000 METRES: CHAMPAGNE WAGER  - 1:11.05 handy; TOP OF THE CLASS  - 1:08.91 handy; TWICE THE JET  - 1:14.99 handy.