Sugar Mike proves he’s best

Things were back to normal on the exercise course yesterday where trainers took things easy with their charges while reflecting on Monday’s hectic racing at Santa Rosa Park, Arima. On the Emancipation Day card, which attracted a full house, two scores were settled. The issues had knowledgeable experts divided and were talking points leading up to the feature events —  the Chevrolet Optra Oaks Stakes Trophy and the President’s Cup Handicap. French Academy, who was beaten by Melanie My Love in the Midsummer Classic, rebounded to reverse placings with the Maniram Maharaj-trained filly. In telling fashion the John O’Brien conditioned daughter of Louis Quatorze made almost every yard of the running to storm clear of her field by 16 lengths in the 2000 metres contest for three-year-old West Indian bred fillies.

The performance under jockey Wilmer Galviz was awesome and left no room for doubt as to which is the best filly of the classic generation. The improvement shown puts her in line for another crack at the colts in the Royal Oak Derby on September, 24. Sugar Mike showed up two race later to dispel any doubts as to the best horse in training. From the off in the 1900 metres grade one event champion jockey Brian Harding chose to keep tabs on the impressive young colt Fantastic Story with the “Horse of the Year” never allowing him to dictate proceedings with his light impost of 44 kilos.

The ploy worked for the heavyweight champion who shouldered his 60.5 kilos impost to stay in close touch before seizing the lead in the backstretch to come home a comfortable four-lengths winner. Phantom Bidder was second with his three-year-old stablecompanion Fantastic Story, thought to be a major threat next. In lifting the Cup for a second year running in the Grade One event, it brought up the son of Ponche/No Sugar 12th win from 16 outings on the course. The ease in which the five-year-old disposes of his rivals humping the highest allotted weight and the good times he produces must rate the Bertwin Samlalsingh-owned colt among the best horses to have graced the course since centralisation of racing at Arima in 1994.

Following are yesterday’s recorded gallops:
400 METRES: Life In Russia — 28.99, pacing; Outswinger — 29.13, pacing; Dunsborough — 29.78, pacing; Saucy Wow — 29.97, pacing; Explosive Suzie — 29.17, pacing; Fast Company — 29.93, pacing; Kato — 28.30, pacing; Kavita Nadira — 29.03, pacing.
600 METRES: Salsa Moves — 44.65, pacing; Aishwarya — 44.78, pacing; City Of Lights — 44.68, pacing; Ex Dormello and Ex Kamakura — 44.25, pacing.
800 METRES: Ballybunion — 52.14, handily; Noble Man — 51.38, handily; Ex In Or Out — 57.23, pacing; Renaissance Man — 59.98, pacing; Maid Of Honour — 57.82, pacing
1000 METRES: Cat Woman — 1:14.98, pacing; Cinco De Mayo — 1:06.92, handily; Ghost Meadow — 1:13.91, pacing.
1600 METRES: Piece Of Cake — 1:51.24, easy.