Stewards Cup to be peppery

THE Trintrac Stewards Cup is expected to be one of the best races since the centralisation of racing at Santa Rosa Park, Arima, in 1994. From what was seen of the candidates on the exercise course over the past two days, the 1200 metres Grade One race is expected to be a sizzler as most if not all the runners are at peak form and has been registering some exceptionally fast times. Lit D’Amour who will carry the hopes of trainer Glenn Mendez in the sprint seemed bent on smashing the clock yesterday morning. Enjoying the ground conditions made sloppy by heavy early morning showers, the temperamental grey which goes into Saturday’s race seeking a hat-trick was nothing less than impressive, posting 47.07 seconds over 800 metres in company with outstanding first-time winner Bold As Brass.

Carnival Messiah who holds the engagement in the Restricted Handicap and Top Of The Class, who will be seen out next in the Gold Cup on Boxing Day, carried their “grudge” from the Carib Brewery Caribbean Champion Stakes to the exercise course. The two Triple Crown winners matched strides in the backstretch from the 1000 metres pole to the winning line to clock 59.67 seconds. Celebrity Jet which is also conditioned by Mendez showed marked improvement from his last start on the slushy surface. Working on the outside of Sparkling Hero over 800 metres, the long striding chestnut held a slight advantage at the line in the “good” time of 49.24 seconds. Most of those holding the engagement in the sprint chose to make their marks on Sunday morning, however. Cash Wager looked in good niche with Nobel Abrego in his saddle and covered the last 600 metres of the course in 35.77, seconds. Ghost Meadow also sparkled over that same acreage.

The Rohit Dube trained colt stopped the clock in 35.58 seconds under the driving of Fazal Razack. Rebel Music from the unfashionable barn of  Dr Jadgis Suratsingh strutted his stuff between the same markers in 36.60 seconds. But while those established runners showed up well, an unraced juvenile colt, named Getthejobdone had tongues wagging. The Jack Debideen inmate who will debut in the Imported Juvenile sprint also on Saturday’s card put some smiles on the face of  connections. Schooling from the boxes, the bay colt posted the impressive 34.20 seconds between the 1200 and 600 metres markers. Fabulous Risk another member of trainer John O’Brien’s Stewards Cup team showed his preparation is on target with a 48.54 timing over 800 metres in company with Maid Of Honour. “Horse of the Year” Sugar Mike warmed up for the defence of his sprint title with a strong run over 1000 metres in 1:02.91 seconds. His younger stablemate, Twice Infallible, who holds the same engagement went slightly faster, reaching the finish in 1:01.53 seconds.      

Here are gallops recorded:  YESTERDAY -  400 METRES: Ichiban - 27.20, handily; Native Love - 29.98, pacing; Golden Grades - 28.14, pacing..
600 METRES: Gray Warrior - 38.20, handily; Life In The Sky - 44.36, pacing.
800 METRES: Lit D’Amour and Bold As Brass - 47.07, good; Celebrity Jet and Sparkling Hero - 49.24, good; Crown Point - 51.53, handily.
1000 METRERS: Carnival Messiah and Top Of The Class - 59.69, good; Blondie - 1:09.59.

Gallops on SUNDAY -  400 METRES: Deadsure and Rocket Booster - 23.81, good - (Boxes); The Nightman - 24.97, good; Timberlake - 24.71, good; Massoud - 25.74, handily; Peace Of Mind - 24.98, handily; Mister Hypocrit - 25.15, handily.
600 METRES: Getthejobdone - 34.20, good (Boxes); Cash Wager - 35.77, good; Ghost Meadow - 35.58, good; Rebel Music - 36.60, good; Alfie Meh Boy, Ex Sincerly Speaking and Ex Top Priority - 36.33, good (Boxes), Fast Company - 38.41, handily; Ex Honor N’ Glory - 39.66, handily; Dinner Silence - 44.99, pacing; Fame And Glory and Fresh Love - 42.61, pacing.
800 METRES: Maid Of Honour and Fabulous Risk - 48.54, good; Top Of The Class - 50.38, good;  Ballybunion - 50.87, good; This Cat Is Back - 52.28, handily; Tactical Bid - 51.86, handily; Es Sporting Green and Saint Valentine - 52.25, handily; Rythmn Divine - 54.33, handily; Private Affair and Behind The Bridge - 54.51, handily; Phantom Menace - 58.43, pacing.
1000 METRES: Twice Infallible - 1:01.53, good; Sugar Mike - 1:02.91, good; fantastic Story - 1:03.15; Celebrity Jet and Lit D’Amour - 1:03.27, good; Senor Gucci - 1:04.88, handily; Honor Bound - 1:08.39, handily; Crown Point - 1:09.72, handily; Over And Above - 1:08.39, handily; Bold As Brass - 1:13.04, pacing.
1200 METRES: Groomsman - 1:23.90, pacing.
1600 METRES: Squee Zintru - 1:46.59, handily.