Fourth Derby subscription tomorrow

Fourth subscription of $500 becomes due tomorrow, with one Jamaican and one Barbadian-bred runner still in after the third subscription stage.

Ad Infinitum racing out of Jamaica, and the expected mount of Trinidadian Brian Harding is expected to hold his ground, but it is still uncertain whether Here N’ Now will be in the line-up of the $2000 metres race to be run off on Septemnber 24, Republic Day.

There is no doubt Crown Point enjoys favouritism at the moment, but the manner in which Flying The Flag won last time, and the vast improvement of Acid Test, add in Ad Infitinum and it makes for a right Royal Derby.

At the third subscription stage there were still 30 three-year-olds left in the Blue Riband event.

Meanwhile, third and final subscription of $200 for the Nursery Stakes also due to be run off on Republic Day also becomes due tomorrow.

To date, 16 have stood their ground including Desert Deacon for which a $1,400 penalty was paid and two-time winner Fun Time, owned by the new Fun Syndicate.

Connections of these two-year-old "babes" are expected to step up their preparations from this morning.

And many turfites are expected to turn out to focus on which will turn out the winner of not only the Nursery Stakes to be run over 1200 metres, but even thinking further ahead to the 2006 triple crown.

Owners and trainers are forewarned that the racing day of October 1 has been put back one week to October 8.

This date change has been pointed out by Arima Race Club vice-president and secretary Joanne Boodoosingh.