Jamaicans test Arima course

The Jamaican runners, here to participate in tomorrow’s Royal Oak Derby had their first feel of the sand course at Santa Rosa Park, Arima yesterday morning. The trio — Latonia, Uram and Seattle Sue, arrived on Tuesday for the tough assignment in the Grade One event. They came out of their quarantine barns midway between the two sessions allowed for gallops to acquaint themselves with the new surroundings. All looked in good shape and seemed to have lost nothing for the long journey by plane. Uram and Latonia were the first of the lot to grace the course.

The duo, owned by Elias Haloute and trained by Anthony Nunes appeared with their raceday riders Juan Crawford and Brian Harding and slow-trotted the entire circuit before returning to their barns adjacent to the racecourse. Seattle Sue, who will be handled by leading trainer John O’Brien during her stay here for Philip Feanny, followed soon after and went through her sight-seeing tour in similar fashion with Nobel Abrego on her back. But while the invaders seemed happy with their first feel of the course on which they will compete, trainers at home were noted putting in the final touches to their acts engaged on the Angostura Limited sponsored ten-race card. Mucho Tempo, Melanie My Love, Private Affair, Takeover, Chief Commander and French Academy, who are down to oppose the Jamaican contingent in the final classic of the season closed off their preparations for the 2,000 metres fray in which 14 will go to post.

The entire lot chose long pace work, with the pick of them being French Academy, who looked in good nick covering the last 1000 metres of the course in an effortless 1:06.69 seconds. Also seen brushing up their acts were a number of runners in the Angostura Aromatic Bitters Nursery Stakes, the supporting feature on tomorrow’s programme. Arts and Lovers and Luann’s Passion, winners of the two West Indian bred juvenile events did pace work and increased their steps through the straight. Arts And Lovers returned over the 400 metres strip in 27.70 seconds and Luann’s Passion covered the distance in 26.09. Run Mani Run, the second runners from trainer Maniram Maharaj stable in the 1200 metres contest stepped over 600 metres under the hands of Lorne Keizer in 39.56 seconds.

Following are the recorded gallops:
400 METRES: Dead Sure - 24.00, good; Salsa Moves - 24.15, good,   Really Quiet - 24.64, good (Boxes); Fran’s Choice - 25.14, handily (Boxes); Melanie My Lover - 24.90, handily; Copy Cat - 26.04, handily; Fran’s Choice - 25.14, handily (Boxes); Massoud - 26.50, handily; Ice Follies - 26.77, handily; Pure Delight - 25.15, handily; Luann’s Passion - 26.09, handily; Arts And Lovers - 27.70, easy; Mucho Tempo - 29.92, pacing; Private Affair - 29.98, pacing; Celebrity Jet - 29.92, pacing; Cornerstone - 29.41, pacing; Redoubled - 29.91, pacing; Hundred Percent - 29.95, pacing; Baby Mass - 29.95, pacing.
600 METRES: Piece Of Cake - 37.81, good; Travel Agent - 37.75, good; Perfect Gem - 38.80, handily; Peace Of Mind - 40.24, handily; Millenium Reign - 41.80, handily; Run Mani Rum - 39.56, handily; Evil Kneevle - 38.79, handily; Full Of Promises and Bada Bing - 41.06, easy; Sugar Mike - 40.78, easy, Speed - 44.58, pacing; Cash Wager - 44.99, pacing; Atlantic Breeze - 44.98, pacing; Blue Reign and Takeover - 44.74, pacing; Phantom Bidder - 44.98, pacing; Miss Lover Lover - 42.85, pacing; Blondie - 42.00, pacing; Java Takeover - 43.00, pacing.
800 METRES: Born To Charm - 52.03, handily; Romantic Dancing - 58.92, pacing; Alert The Ship - 58.06, pacing; Smooth Operator - 58.72, pacing; Native Love - 57.24, pacing; Chief Commander - 59.99, pacing. 1000 METRES: Hyarima - 1:06.69, handily; Twice Infallible - 1:06.70, handily; French Academy - 1:11.49, pacing.