Royal Flush nicely drawn in Guineas

Royal Flush is expected to be installed favourite for the the Union Park Turf Club Easter Guineas on Easter Monday at Santa Rosa Park, Arima.

This follows his outstanding performance in his first try around two turns and will race from Gate 13 in the Arima Race Club Day 12 feature. The slot was drawn for the Mary Navarro-owned colt at the draw for post positions held at the sponsors Off Track Betting outlet in Marabella yesterday. At the function, Justice Wendell Kangaloo, president of the UPTC, said his event was always one which turfites looked forward to in the past and promised to continue the sponsorship as long as the Arima Race Club allowed.

Kangaloo reminded those in attendance that his club sponsored the event in 1993, the last  occasion it was staged at the Union Park racecourse and was happy to be given the opportunity again by the Arima Race Club. He alluded to “a  match made in heaven,” stating  that the ARC needed the sponsorship and his club was glad be reunited with the Classic representing the first leg of the triple crown. Kangaloo failed to disclose the amount of  the sponsorship deal, but said it was an increase over last year’s figure. Glen Mendez’s pair of Top Of The Class and Celebration Time, who will also be among the market leaders, drew lanes 15 and five for the 1800 metres event for which 17 runners drew, but only a maximum of 16 will start. Affirm Decision, the stablemate of Royal Flush, will start closest the rails in the three-year-old contest and Sweet Tempo, another member of from trainer Glen Mendez’ string, will start from the extreme post.

Champion trainer John O’Brien, who won the event the most since racing was centralised in Arima in 1994, also goes into the event with a three-pronged attack. Cornerstone, who finished runner up to Royal Flush last time will race from gate six, Hannibal’s Will is in eight and Isle Be there in 14. Starting positions were also drawn yesterday for the Champagne Stakes, the supporting feature  on Monday’s 11-race card. In the 1600 metres Turf contest where seven will go to post, Adawar and Phantom Bidder, who will be representing trainer John O’Brien’s barn, were slotted for lanes three and four, with Sure Ting and Sugar Mike leaving gates one and seven respectively. Following are the framed races, entries, weights and jockeys for the entire card: