None other than Sugar Mike for Horse of the Year

THERE should be no doubt in the minds of panellists that Sugar Mike is the champion race horse in Trinidad and Tobago. This son of Ponche/No Sugar once again showed his undoubted class, winning five of his seven starts with his electrifying final bursts to thrill turfites at Santa Rosa Park, Arima. And Bertwin “Mike” Samlalsingh’s American-bred six-year-old not only trounced the top class runners, but he did it while handing out lumps of weight. Four of his victories with regular partner Brian Harding astride, was scored  wile toting the maximum 60.5 kilos, which in itself attests to the power and quality of this horse, which finished out of the frame just once. He was third on two occasions.

There may be arguments put forward for two-year-old queen Arts And Lovers, the Guardian Life St Ann’s Stakes winner, who after being beaten by Luann’s Passion in her second outing, came back to win four races on the trot. Also, a case could be made out for Royal Oak Derby winner Mucho Tempo who won three of his seven starts, but it is difficult to see the panellists taking the crown away from “Sugar Daddy.” Trainer Grant Lourenco has done a wonderful job with Sugar Mike and should be singled out for some special award. Added to this, Sugar Mike was easily the Champion Stayer (imported), but should lose his sprint crown to Cash Wager who beat him into third place at the Steward’s Cup.

Man Of Class, was easily the best local sprinter, while one could plump for Mucho Tempo over stablemate Top Of The Class for the best local stayer. The best two-year-old filly picked herself in Arts And Lovers, while the top colt in this category must be The Night Man following his scintillating victory by 10 1/4 lengths in winning on debut, the Guardian Life St James Stakes, beating previous winners Lil Maniram My Boy and Crown Point and the highly thought out On The Mark. It is already known that Brian Harding is again the top jockey, while Gary Laban took the apprentice rider’s title. John O’Brien regained the trainers title after a one-year lapse, but the shrewd Maniram “Boboy” Maharaj cake-walked the owners and breeders crowns.