ARC Cup for Invincibility

INVINCIBILITY can give trainer Grant Lourenco the second of a “big race”  double by winning the Arima Race Club Cup feature race on Day 11 of the current racing season at Santa Rosa Park, Arima, today. But today’s race will be robbed of some glamour with the withdrawal of  Sugar Mike, the champion sprinter/stayer who was forced to bypass the engagement because of his late return from Barbados. The Horse of the Year encountered flight problems after unsuccessfully competing  in the rich Barbados Sandy Lane Gold Cup and arrived back home only one week ago.

But Lourenco has two able substitutes entered in Invincibility and Phantom Menace. Despite being four years old, Invincibility has had just 14 starts, winning four and being among the money in nine. The son of Belong To Me/Hitaway has not measured up to this league over the longer trips at three, but much stronger at four could turn that around. In just two turf outings this term he scored a victory in the Sian’s Gold Sprint over 1100 metres and was third in Champagne Stakes over 1600 metres not disgraced in finishing just under two lengths to Outswinger and Phantom Bidder.

In the latter he seemed to have had plenty in hand in the backstretch but having made his move too early found the pair of tested stayers too strong at the end. Invincibility is blessed with the ability to be on the pace and if his jockey gives him a waiting ride, could prove a major factor late in today’s 1800 metres event. But getting the job done won’t be easy as the long grind has a good mix of three-year-old and over horses, who are coming into the event well prepared to lift the trophy and bank the $45,000 winners’ purse. Phantom Bidder has been knocking on the door and Miss Lover Lover, who has lowered his colours over 1725 metres on the turf in their last meeting, when in receipt of  lumps of weight is another to be respected, since it was his first try over a distance of ground.

Her gallops suggest she won’t be inconvenienced by the additional distance of ground on the main course. Fabulous Risk and Daredevil Hero represents the younger generation in the event. This duo has shown class and with the pull in the weights cannot be discounted. Earlier today, Lourenco can also take the Flamingo Stakes with Pave The Way. The son of Freshly Squeezed/Smoothawn has gone from strength to strength, running up a sequence of four wins after finishing in the runner-up spot on his debut.

Pave The Way encountered problems in running last time out, but was still able to beat his peers by a comfortable two lengths at the end with today’s weight of 56.5 kilos in his saddle. But the Ibis Stakes, the first of three spotlight races on the 10-race holiday card looks  a wide open affair. French Academy is given a slight preference over Melanie My Love and Seaham Harbour in the 1350 metres race.