Sugar Mike, Invincibility clash again

LOCAL racing star Sugar Mike will again hump the big burden of 60.5 kilos, when he throws down the gauntlet to 2003 triple-crown winner Top Of The Class and latest conqueror Invincibility on Saturday. The trio along with Fantastic Story, Dottie’s Way and This Cat Is Back are the six horses entered for the day’s feature Stakes and Lower Handicap over 1750 metres on Day 19 of the Arima Race Club season at Santa Rosa Park, Arima. Sugar Mike will be looking to redeem his tarnished image, following his third place finish in the Santa Rosa Dash on June 19, when he was beaten four lengths by Invincibility who was in receipt of 10.5 kilos in the 1200 metres sprint.

Weights for the feature which carries a total purse of $35,000 and the Restricted Handicap were released by handicappers Robin Jaicingh, John Maingot and Wayne Shockness yesterday. Heading the “Restricted” is Living In Hope who will pack 56.5 kilos, giving away one kilo to Sure Wager, and 1.5 kilos to Mandela and Punto A Punto. At the bottom of this handicap is former Royal Oak Derby winner Groomsman with 46 kilos and Joint Venture with 44.5.Should the “Restricted” to be run over 1600 metres on the turf be shifted to the main track, then the topweight in the race will be Bon Voyage with 56.5 kilos while Mandela and Punto A Punto gets 55.

Saturday there will be a 10-race programme.
Santa Rosa Park was still buzzing yesterday, with talk of the resounding upset of Melanie My Love winning the feature CLICO Midsummer Classic and the abject failure of overwhelming favourite Mucho Tempo.
Here are the weights released for the two races:
RACE 5: RESTRICTED HANDICAP 1600 METRES (TURF) - W.I. BRED 3 Y.O. WINNERS & IMPORTED 3 Y.O. & OVER: Living In Hope 56.5 (51.5); Sure Wager 55.5 (52.5); Mandela 55 (55); Punto A Punto 55 (55); Morgan Heritage 54.5 (54.5); Squee Zintru 54 (54); Golden Honour 54 (54); Bon Voyage 53.5 (56.5); Rhythm Divine 53.5 (53.5); Maid Of Honour 52.5 (52.5); You’ve Got Mail 48.5 (48.5); Ooze 48 (48); Premier Attraction 48 (48); Due Dilligence 46 (46); Groomsman 46 (50); Joint Venture 44.5 (44.5).
*** Weights in brackets if race shifted to main track.
RACE 10: STAKES & LOWER HANDICAP - 1750 METRES  - Sugar Mike 60.5; Top Of The Class 49.5; Invincibility 49.5; Fantastic Story 48.5; Dottie’s Way 46.5; This Cat Is Back 38.