Tactical Bid could prove best in Restricted Handicap

Tactical Bid is on a retrieving mission today after losing to Isle Be True last week and Cyril Arneaud’s filly can be counted on to land the spoils in the Restricted Handicap, the latter of two features on the Arima Race Club Day 32 card at Santa Rosa Park, Arima today.

Tactical Bid will be attempting the 1750 metres trip for the first time, and his pedigree and style of running suggest that the extended distance can bring about sufficient improvement for the daughter of Tactical Advantage to land today’s prize. Last week, she was well supported in the market but her supporters knew their fate from the top of the staright when the slightly more favoured Isle Be True kicked clear in the 1300 metres contest. Tactical Bid however found a second win on straightening up and was noted running on well at the end of extended sprint to get third, beaten only three lengths by the winner. The Russell Ramsammy-owned filly was prominent through the early stages and that run would have brought her right for her first try over today’s trip. The Starter Allowance dash on the Turf could prove an intriguing contest.

The 1000 metres contest has a number of runners with early blinding speed and some with good tactical speed, who can sit just off the pace and still have sufficient reserve to reel in the speed if they fall short. Bandinthong, Sea Spider, Emelda M and Sure Wager have speed to burn and their similar styles will guarantee the early fractions are blistering. Man Of Class falls in the latter category and has a proven track record among top company on the main course. He was not disgraced in his only start on the inner circuit this term, when beaten three and a quarter lengths by stable companions Smooth Operator and Mandela. The time of 1:04.67 posted for the race compares favourably on the clock with those of the speedsters, and with the break-neck speed expected from the boxes could be picking out his rivals in the closing stages in the $23,000 highlight. Napoleon seens to be targetting another shot at the Stewards Cup, the race he last competed in 10 months ago. Trainer Jack Debideen has taken his time in nursing the roan grey back to fitness, and the four-year-old son of Freshly Squeezed/Beggar’s Banquet, which was a 2003 ‘Horse Of The Year’ nominee could repay his patience with victory in the Optional Claiming $20,000 event.