Gray Warrior looking to recoup

WHILE the Stud Farm Association National Stakes is the day’s feature, there are a number of exciting races, at least on paper, on the Arima Race Club Day 18 Labour Day eight-race programme at Santa Rosa Park, Arima, today. The Allowance sprint over 1200 metres will see Getdjobdone seeking to keep his unbeaten record in only his third start on a local track. But while it will be foolhardy to oppose this son of Louis Quatorze/In Or Out, there must ba a chance for Rebel Music and the tried and tested Fabulous Risk, with Marci’s Dreamer a very live outsider. Gray Warrior will be on a recovery mission when this headstrong roan colt lines up in the Restricted Handicap over 1800 metres on the turf in the day’s opener.

But the manner in which Mandela has been going on the gallops suggests the eight-year-old Barbados-bred gelding will make his presence felt. There are loud whispers out for Fearless Angel while Soundsgoodtume has been showing promise and will be seen over this distance for the first time. The three-year-old maidens come to grips over 1100 metres on the turf, and what an open affair this appears to be. Any from among Lauralee-Inflight, Up Above, Sequin and Winnie can land the winner’s purse of $11,000 here.

Another very open race is the fourth, the optional claimer over 1200 metres with Gold ConveyorDealer’s Choice, V For Victory, Second Chances and Ballybunion holding the engagement.  Francesca must also come in for some consideration. The feature looks like a three-way battle between Man Of Class, Carnival Messiah and Top Of The Class. But the vote should go to the triplecrown winner who has been showing glimpses of form in the higher bracket, but Man Of Class is a very consistent sort and although tackling the distance for the first time is a very real threat to the best.