Daredevil Hero for Mentone Stakes

THE manner in which Daredevil Hero won the Arima Race Club Handicap two weeks ago, suggests he will start favourite to capture the Mentone Stakes on Saturday. But the Glen Mendez-trained dark bay colt will have most to fear from the temperamental Lit D’Amour and the improving Alert The Ship, with the danger being Fabulous Risk.

Subscriptions have been paid for 10 horses in this race over 1750 metres named after the legendary English-bred wonder horse Mentone, which is  worth a total of $50,000 in purse money. The day’s feature Gleneagle Stakes for West Indies-bred three-year-old fillies worth $60,000 will see 14 runners aiming to claim the top slice of the purse in the 1800 metres race. And French Academy who slaughtered her field in the Ibis Stakes is sure to carry most money.

This John O’Brien-trained filly must fear Melanie My Love, prepared by that shrewd horseman Maniram “Boboy” Maharaj, the improving Murphy’s Law, Trini To D Bone and Yashoda. Triple crown winner Top Of The Class could well be seen out for the first time this year in the Handicap 1 and Lower race over 1300 metres also on the same day. This race is worth a total of $32,000 in prizemoney, and could also see the return to action of “Horse of the Year” Sugar Mike, after his dismal show in  the Sandy Lane Gold Cup in Barbados.