Sugar Mike returns today

HORSE of The Year Sugar Mike is expected to return home today. The Grant Lourenco-trained colt who gave a dismal performance in the Sandy Lane Barbados Gold Cup at the Garrison Savannah on March 6, will fly in from Barbados with the three other Trinidad and Tobago-owned runners which competed in events on Sandy Lane Gold Cup Day. The quartet comprising  Sugar Mike, Carnival Messiah, Golden Honour and Tricky Guy were booked to fly home on Friday last, but their arrival had to be delayed because documents relating to customs clearance were posted late. The foursome will be stationed at the quarantine facilities adjacent to the Santa Rosa Park, Arima,  racetrack upon arrival.

Carnival Messiah was the only one of the lot to have shown a glimpse of his true ablity on the  right-handed grass course. The 2002 Triple Crown winner finished sixth in the Tanglewood Stakes, the supporting event to the spotlight. Trainer Glenn Mendez who confirmed the TT runners will flying today, said his charge Carnival Messiah coughed after the race and might have also bled while competing. “He carried the pace and when asked to pick it up three furlongs out he ‘scattered’ and finished sixth, which was enough for the minor purse in the 2000 metres event. Tricky Guy, the other member of his stable to make the trip failed to fire after he slipped around the first turn in a 1200 metres maiden contest for horses bracketed  F1 and F2.

Sugar Mike was reported by his trainer to have been knocked around at the first bend and did not lay out properly thereafter. Jockey Brian Harding on his return said Sugar Mike did not act on the ground conditions which he deemed “holding.”  He said horses feet were penetrating deep into the ground and felt that  was responsible for time of the 1800-metres contest being completed a full six seconds outside the course record. Golden Honour, according to trainer Andrew Dulal-Whiteway never showed a likeness to the course and was never in with a chance in the Tanglewood Stakes.