Mucho Tempo pleases in ‘Classic’ prep

MUCHO TEMPO showed that he is rounding into top shape for the Midsummer Classic, second jewel on the triple crown, with a pleasant run on the exercise course at Santa Rosa Park, Arima, yesterday. The son of of Freshly Squeezed/Up Tempo which gave young trainer Harriram “Pepsi” Gobin his first classic success when he romped home in the Guineas on Indian Arrival Day, looked in immaculate condition and just as he looked he performed, with raceday rider Rajpaul Rajkumar aboard, covering the last 1000 metres in 1:02.25 seconds. 

Sent off in company with Morgan Heritage the locally-bred three-year-old chose to stay on the inner of his American-bred stable companion and responded gamely when asked a question up the stretch to ease away close home. Over And Above who had plenty to do from a slow start in the Guineas was also given a tune-up for the middle leg of the local triple crown to be run off on Saturday. The Jack Debideen-trained colt went over the same acreage with regular partner Ricardo Jadoo astride, posting 1:06.25 seconds for his solo run. French Academy who will also be in the line-up on Saturday, was another which looked in fine fettle.

The John O’Brien-trained filly went at a handy clip over 1200 metres in 1:18.25 seconds with Wilmer Galviz in her saddle. Kato who will represent Kenneth De Silva Jnr in the 1900 metres event had stable companion Mayaro Breeze for company after warming up on the smaller exercise course. This strapping chestnut was all over his lesser companion at the finish, posting 1:16.28 seconds for his run, but Mayaro Breeze was timed in 1:17.81 seconds. Trainer Maniram “Boboy” Maharaj chose to take things easy with Melanie My Love who paced 800 metres in 59.93 seconds.

Following are gallops recorded yesterday’s:
400 METRES: Philadelphian and Pure Delight - 24.46, good; Cotonou - 25.60, handily; Dare To Dream . 26.42, handily; Ex Santa Anita and Ex Bolshoi  - 28.81, pacing; Bandikoot, Ex Java and Ex Magestrial Command - 29.08, pacing; Alert The Ship - 29.56, pacing; Skippy’s Dream - 29.84, pacing; Pistol Pete - 29.88, pacing.
600 METRES: Maid Of Honour - 35.47, good; Joint Account - 36.49, good - (Boxes); Song Of Freedom - 39.19, handily; Yashoda - 38.89, handily; Fast Company - 44.93, pacing; Moulin Rouge and Synergy - 44.97, pacing; In Swinger - 42.49, pacing.
800 METRES: Trini To D Bone and Evil Kneevle - 50.87, handily; Private Affair - 51.00, handily; Joan Of Arc - 54.42, handilt; Embedded Option and Dunsborough - 52.40, handily; Ichiban and Takeover - 53.23, handily; Woman Of Class - 57.18, pacing; Bon Voyage - 55.72, pacing; Top Of The Class - 56.28, pacing; Melanie My Love - 59.93, pacing; Peace Of Mind - 56.51, pacing; Sunset - 55.55, pacing.
1000 METRES: Dottie’s Way - 59.43, good - ridden out; Mucho Tempo and Morgan Heritage - 1:02.25, good; Sure Honey - 1:05.43, handily; Le Fabuleux Dansur - 1:06.27, handily; Over And Above - 1:06.25, handily; Yaa Asantewaa - 1:08.09, handily; Flying Eagle and Rocket Booster - 1:04.25, handily. Sugar Mike - 1:13.94, pacing; Lovely Pearl - 1:14.63, pacing.
1200 METRES: French Academy - 1:18.25, handily; Kato (1:16.28) and Mayaro Breeze - 1:17.81, handily; Renaissance Man and Lady Secret - 1:20.02, handily;  Sou Sou Moni - 1:29.98, pacing; Silver Bullet - 1:25.84, pacing.
1600 METRES: Final Set - 1:52.62, pacing; Sure Wager - 1:53.88, pacing.