French Academy to take ‘em to school

FRENCH ACADEMY can gain consolation for a fine effort in the Union Park Turf  Club Guineas Trophy by winning the CLICO Midsummer Classic, feature race on the Arima Race Club Day 19 Colonial Life Insurance-sponsored 10-race programme at Santa Rosa Park, Arima, today. Beaten four and a half lengths by Mucho Tempo, French Academy failed to carry through with her run from the top of the straight. In that race, the Union Park Turf Club Easter Guineas, first of the three classics this season, the daughter of Louis Quatorze/Hermosa was forced to do most of the donkey-work. And as Melanie My Love applied early pressure, the Gleneagle Stakes winner had no reserve to repel the challenge of Mucho Tempo in the end. But with the lesson learnt and different riding tactics being applied, along with an extra 100 metres further to travel in today’s central leg of the tri-part series, French Academy must be favoured to reverse placings.

Nobel Abrego who sided with Takeover in the Guineas has been called to duty on the filly by trainer John O’Brien in today’s race, a clear sign that some thought went into the planning on how to foil Mucho Tempo, which will also end the Merlin Samlalsingh/Rupert Leong Poi-owned colt’s  chances of capturing the triple crown. But victory today will give Mucho Tempo a chance of emulating last year’s winner Top Of The Class and Carnival Messiah in 2001, claiming the  $250,000 bonus, put up by the insurance giants for accomplishing the feat. Mucho Tempo has developed into a top class stayer and will not go down without a fight.

The son of Freshly Squeezed/Up Tempo is unbeaten this year in three starts, and the manner in which he took to his preparations could give trainer Harriram “Pepsi” Gobin his second classic victory in the $150,000 event. Melanie My Love who followed the pair home in the Guineas is again expected be in the firing line throughout, and the persistent showers being experienced at the course could help her chances of upsetting the two fancied runners, who will have competent new rider Jody Arneaud aboard. Fast Company has shown vast improvement since his fourth placed finish behind the top three and cannot be ruled out.