‘Colt’ Durant Memorial runners look sharp

ERIC “Colt” Durant Memorial Handicap runners showed off their wares on the gallops course at Santa Rosa Park, Arima, yesterday morning in preparation for the 1725 metres race on the turf track on Arrival Day, Monday. Trainer Grant Lourenco’s pair of Invincibility and Sugar Mike, who had been working as a team previously went separate ways yesterday. Invincibility sharpened up over 800 metres in 49.50 seconds with Lourenco aboard. But Sugar Mike seems to be getting better with every gallop. The 2003 Horse Of The Year, who failed badly in the Sandy Lane Gold Cup in Barbados in March, was noted under the wraps of  his regular work-rider in his spin over 1000 metres, was “easy” at the finish in 1:05.50 seconds.

Miss Lover Lover another of the eight listed to start in the event also showed her well-being with trainer Edmund de Freitas in the irons. The bay four-year-old filly who has held her own over various distances among the top bracket, showed she is planning to do the same again with a pleasant run over the last 1000 metres of the course in 1:02.68 seconds. Fantastic Story who could be among the Allowance grouping on Monday’s 10-race holiday programme breezed 1200 metres in an impressive 1:14.39 seconds with apprentice Gary Laban astride. Second Chances who is being pointed at the Union Park Turf Club Guineas, had a handy spin with You’ve Got Mail. The pair of Glen Mendez inmates increased their steps from the 1600 metres marker and touched the winning line in 1:47.64 seconds.

Following are the recorded gallops:
400 METRES: Carefree - 28.50, pacing; Goldeneye - 29.89, pacing; Bandikoot - 29.93, pacing; Champagne Wager - 28.99, pacing; Life In The Sky - 29.17, pacing; Kent’s Delight - 28.18, pacing; Sweet N’Beautiful - 29.30, pacing.
600 METRES: Perfect Gem - 38.12, handily; Game High - 44.98, pacing; The Chairman - 43.98, pacing; Top Of The Class - 40.78, easy; Maid Of Honour - 44.99, pacing; Comanchero - 43.15, pacing.
800 METRES: Invincibility - 49.50, good; Isle Be There - 52.30, handily; Balthazar - 58.31, pacing; Copy Cat - 59.99, pacing; Cleopatra - 59.91, pacing; Ichiban - 59.86, pacing.
1000 METRES: Miss Lover Lover - 1:02.68, good; Golden Honour - 1:03.70, good; 2Sharp and Return To Sender - 1:03.70, good; Jay Low - 1:04.46, handily; Sugar Mike - 1:05.50, easy; Richie Rich - 1:10.12, pacing.
1200 METRES: Fantastic Story - 1:14.39, good; Daredevil Hero - 1:19.95, handily; Bound To Dot Com - 1:23.23, pacing.
1600 METRES: You’ve Got Mail and Second Chances - 1:47.64, handily.