‘Colt’ Durant Memorial runners please

IF the performances at exercise gallops of  some runners entered for tomorrow’s Eric “Colt”  Durant Memorial Trophy is a true guide, then the 1725 metres spotlight event on Arima Race Club Day 31 programme could turn out to be a thriller. Invincibility  who is likely to head the market based on his performance in the Sagicor Independence Day Cup, looked fit and ready in his final preparation on Wednesday. The Grant Lourenco-trained colt breezed from the 600 metres marker to the winning pole in 35.12 seconds, which proved best for the distance on the day. Phantom Bidder has not been up to his best recently but showed that he is returning to form with a 36.62 clocking over the same trip. Connections of Dottie’s Way chose to go longer on the same morning, and the Kenneth De Silva-trained filly who finished in mid-pack in the Independence Cup, maintained a steady clip from the 1000 metres marker in the backstretch to the winning post in 1:16.78 seconds.

Smooth Operator goes into tomorrow’s event with  an outstanding turf record. The Maniram “Boboy” Maharaj owned and trained colt pleased in his solo run of over 800 metres completed in 48.39 seconds. Dual triple crown winning trainer Glenn Mendez chose instead to give Carnival Messiah his final workout yesterday. And the 2001 Triple Crown winner turned out early in the morning and stretched out over 800 metres in a comfortable looking 50.92 seconds. 

Following are the gallops recorded: Yesterday:
400 METRES: Francesca - 23.83, good; Ex Narciss Toi and  Love Till I Die - 23.62, good (Boxes); Salsa Moves - 26.50, easy (Boxes);  Bold Fapp - 29.33, pacing; Squeezed Moment - 28.52, pacing; Balthazar - 28.55, pacing; Angelino - 29.33, pacing; Majestic - 28.45, pacing; El Presidente - 25.00, handily; Mystile - 28.80, pacing; Final Set - 28.64, pacing.
600 METRES: Storming Wind - 36.36, good; Super Gray and Ring Dang Do - 36.89, good; Phantom Bidder - 36.62, good; Isle Be True - 36.02, good; Cold Risk - 36.00, good; Sure Honey - 44.92, pacing; Kay Gee Bee - 41.89, pacing; J D’s Express, Ex Lalapaloosa and Ex Love Movement - 37.83, handily; Privilege - 44.93, pacing; Lovely Pearl - 38.29, handily; Van Nuistelrooy - 38.75, handily; Highness - 44.97, pacing; Canaima - 42.31, pacing; Massoud and Caribbean Kiss - 41.56, easy; Ex Touch Of Class - 40.68, handily; Stormy Season - 42.42, pacing; Undercover Angel - 38.64, handily; Florida Flame - 38.56, handily; Ooze - 38.87 handily.
800 METRES: Carnival Messiah - 50.92, good; Blondie and Chief Of Staff - 50.95, good; Lady Banker - 59.09, good; Once In A Lifetime - 50.97, good; Punto A Punto - 57.66, pacing; Golden Honour - 53.39, handily; Miss Lover Lover - 52.14, handily; Dunsborough - 57.52, pacing; Undisputed - 59.31, pacing; Fresh Mandate - 58.33, pacing.
1000 METRES: Kalyan - 1:05.23, handily; Hundred Percent - 1:09.09, handily.
1200 METRES: Murphy’s Law - 1:23.50, handily (Boxes).
Wednesday: 400 METRES: Creme Caramel - 23.88, good; Punto A Punto and Ring Dang Do - 24.81, good; Melanie My Love - 24.89, good; Native Love - 29.87, pacing; Squeezed Moment - 29.98, pacing; Murphy’s Law - 29.81, pacing; Java Takeover - 26.69, handily; Skylite - 25.00, handily; Francesca - 29.92, pacing; Erin Danxcer - 28.72, pacing.
600 METRES: Groomsman - 36.96, good; Salsa Moves - 37.87, good; Invincibility - 35.12, good; You’ve Got Mail and Hollywood Star - 35.13, good; El Guerrouj - 36.62, ridden out; Fromnowuntil and Morgan Heritage - 37.07, good; Ex Love Movement and Lalapaloosa - 38.78, handily; Super Grey - 42.25, pacing; Privilege - 44.90, pacing; Peace Of Mind - 44.03, pacing; Bandinthong - 44.99, pacing; Phantom Bidder - 43.65, pacing; Camaima - 40.57, easy; Van Nistelrooy - 43.77, pacing; Isle Be True - 44.93, pacing; Ex Jarama and Little Master - 44.96, pacing; Java In Style - 41.78, pacing; Bon Voyage - 39.08, handily; Golden Shufleur - 44.73, pacing; Champagne Wager - 40.08, handily; Golden Honour - 44.77, pacing; J D’s Express - 39.90, handily; Fresh Mandate - 42.05, pacing; Golden Grades - 39.90, handily.
800 METRES: Smooth Operator - 48.39, good; Outburst - 56.25, pacing; Balthazar - 53.73, handily; Kay Gee Bee - 59.11, pacing; Fortunate Flag - 53.90, handily; Born To Charm - 53.11, handily; Dutchess Trembley - 59.77, pacing; Blue Reign - 57.11, pacing; Pefect Gem and Bank Account - 56.27, pacing.
1000 METRES: Sure Wager - 1:05.74, handily; Life In Russia - 1:03.94, good; Travel Agent - 1:04.77, handily
1200 METRES: Dottie’s Way - 1:16.78, good; Duke’s Jason - 1:19.40, pacing; Hyarima - 1:17.74, pacing.