Stay with Sugar Mike, Arts And Lovers

IN what is now down to a match-race, jockeyship will determine the winner of today’s classic Gleneagle Stakes (Fillies Guineas), one of the “big races” on Day 12 of the Arima Race Club 2005 season at Santa Rosa Park, Arima. Only twice Arts And Lovers have not won in her eight career starts, and each time she finished runner-up. The last time the daughter of Gilgamesh/Sizzling filled that role was in the Ibis Stakes on Easter Monday, beaten by Flying Millie by a neck over 1350 metres. This duo is set to lock horns again, this time over the 1800 metres distance, which should suit the staying abilities of “The Arts” more than the Jamaican-bred Flying Millie.

The day’s other major attraction, the Santa Rosa Dash Trophy Handicap over 1200 metres, would see “Horse of the Year” Sugar Mike on a recovery mission. The two-time top horse will be throwing down the gauntlet to speedsters Invincibility, winner of last year’s corresponding race, Twice Infallible, Rebel Music, Lit D’Amour, and locally-bred Man Of Class. His mission seems a very tall order, judging from his latest form, beaten into third twice, on the last occasion on his preferred sand surface, but while toting the welter burden of 60.5 kilos. The champ has been brought along nicely by young trainer Grant Lourenco, and having trained well, should go very close despite the sharp distance.

There are a number of other attractive and competitive races on the 10-race programme today. One is the Restricted Handicap over 1200 metres featuring an abundance of speed horses in Bold As Brass, Java Takeover, Soul Asylum and Movietowne Magic. Bold As Brass should lead them home, but it is anybody’s guess who will follow him. The Starter Allowance race over 1750 metres is another open betting race, but after his good showing when second last time, This Cat Is Back should win it from Royal Miss. Spotting the winner of the 1100 metres race on the turf course for three-year-old maidens is sure to give turfites a headache, but those who are likely to take a hand in the finish are Lauralee-Inflight, Kylie Wylie, Unforgivable and Up Above. Post time for the opener is 12.15 pm.