Sugar Mike goes for another double

SUGAR MIKE has his sights set on the Stewards Cup and Gold Cup double again. Both Grade One events, forming the prestigious double on what is traditionally known as the Christmas Meeting was won by last year’s Horse of the Year and connections of the five-year-old American-bred colt which captured the title from triple crown winner Top of The Class at the Jetsam Awards, have paid first subscriptions for their star to defend both titles. At the initial stage of the Stewards Cup, 17 runners each paid subscription fees of $500 to be eligible to contest the 1200 metres sprint on December 11. Trainer John O’Brien and Rohit Dube are best represented with three runners each in the dash. O’Brien’s three-pronge attack will be formed by Cash Wager, Fabulous Risk and Smart And Lucky, while Dube will saddle Dauntless Hero, Ghost Meadow and the lightly raced Miss Julie.

Grant Lourenco will field two runners in the event,  Sugar Mike and  promising Twice Infallible. Also having a double hand in the event is trainer Glenn Mendez. The Champion trainer will condition the disappointing Lit D’Amour and the once raced Royal Dame in the speed contest. At the first subscription stage for the Gold Cup, 13 runners contributed $600 each to be eligible for the 2000 metres race on December 27. Among those in the Gold Cup race are a number of three-year-old imports to have made their mark this season, Alert The Ship, Fantastic Story and This Cat Is Back. Those representing the older generation in the race are Dottie’s Way, Cash Wager, Carnival Messiah, Outswinger, Phantom Bidder and Top Of The Class. Second subscriptions of $400 for the Stewards Cup becomes due on Monday, and the $500 second subscription for the Gold Cup becomes due on November 8.

Following are the horses for which first subscriptions have been paid:
STEWARDS CUP (Grade 1) - 2 Y.O & OVER - 1200 METRES.
Caribbean Kiss, Cash Wager, Dauntless Hero, Fabulous Risk, Fortunate Flag, Ghost Meadow, Invincibility, Lit D’Amour, Miss Julie, Miss Lover Lover, Movietowne Magic, Rebel Music, Royal Dame, Smart And Lucky, Soul Asylum, Sugar Mike and Twice Infallible.
GOLD CUP (Grade 1) - (OPEN) - 2000 METRES.
Alert The Ship, Carnival Messiah, Cash Wager, Dottie’s Way, Fantastic Story, Franchise, Gray Warrior, Outswinger, Phantom Bidder, Sky Skipper, Sugar Mike, This Cat Is Back, and Top Of The Class.