Easter Guineas now wide open

With Ichiban and Due Dilligence injured out of the Easter Guineas, the vacuum created by the withdrawal of the two leading contenders have given hope to a number of runners.

And with it an open look to the first leg of the elusive triple crown. Preparations are completed with most of of the runners in the West Indian bred three-year-old classic, but the guessing game goes on  as to which of the 16 runners can win Monday’s 1800 metres run. From the lot, around five runners have risen to become serious contenders. The victorious horse, besides capturing the rich purse in the opening stanza of the tri-part series, will have a shot at the Triple Crown for which an incentive of $250,000 is offered by Colonial Life Insurance Company, and a further $750,000 for adding the Champion Stakes later this year.

With this package in mind, trainers were working feverishy this week in brushing up the loose ends with their charges. One such, was trainer Chester Roberts, who left no stone unturned in the getting Golden Honour to peak fitness. The champion juvenile of last year looked good in her coat when closing off her work over 600 metres in 39.53 seconds. Trainer Glen Mendez’s team of Top Of The Class, Celebration Time and Sweet Tempo were others to have closed off preprations this week and are keenly  awaiting the big occasion. Celebration Time, who went at a handy clip over 800 metres in his last piece of serious work on Thursday, returned yesterday to allow jockey Raymond Ganpath, who flew to especially to partner him, a feel-out. Top Of The Class breezed the last 800 metres of the course with American import Sure Ting, while stamina work continued to go into Sweet Tempo.

Following are the recorded gallops over the last two days.
ON THURSDAY
400 METRES:  Dottie’s Way - 24.95, good. Living In Hope - 28.98, pacing. Not To Worrie - 29.42, pacing. Lantern Lady - 29.99, pacing. Tea Time Doc - 25.75, handily. Panama Canal - 26.17, handily.
600 METRES: Politics, Squeezed Moment and Carnival Messiah - 37.50, handily. Golden Honour - 39.53, easy. Maid Of Honour - 43.63, pacing. Loughranne - 44.18, pacing. Poetry - 44.92, pacing. Honor Bound - 43.64, pacing. Guatama and Glory Road - 43.31, pacing. Kay Gee Bee - 44.46, pacing. Fantastic Lad - 42.17, pacing. My Son John - 44.99, pacing. Kalyan - 44.34, pacing.
800 METRES: Sure Ting and Top Of The Class - 48.00, good. Gold Master - 54.56, handily. Celebration Time and Soca Tempo - 53.86, handily. Sure Wager - 57.75, pacing. Isle Be There - 57.55, pacing. Sir Vidia and Foucault Pendulum - 54.08, handiy. Time To Fly - 59.99, pacing. 

YESTERDAY
400 METRES: Reign Of  Fire - 23.99, good.Isle Be True - 29.95, pacing. Cat Woman - 29.09, pacing. Toronto Star - 25.59, handily. Panama Belle - 25.31, handily. Lovely Pearl - 29.92, pacing. Joint Venture - 26.06, handily. Phantom Bidder - 25.95, handily. Loughranne - 28.95, pacing. Speedfuhso - 29.42, pacing. Yaa Asantewaa - 28.97, pacing. Poetry - 27.99,  pacing. Sea Spider and Finest Gem - 26.70, handily. Sunny - 29.93, pacing. Affirm Decision - 29.17, pacing. Never Ever Worrie - 28.84, pacing. Ula - 28.81, pacing. Sir Vidia and Foucault Pendulum - 24.12, good.
600 METRES: My Son John - 36.46, good. Upset All and Loud Music - 36.61, good.Undisputed - 44.77, pacing. Outswinger - 44.37, pacing. Ring Dang Do - 44.99, pacing. Super Grey - 44.90, pacing. Cornerstone - 42.34, pacing. Fantastic Lad - 38.52, handily. Fresh Mandate and Bound To Dot Com - 42.48, pacing. Full Of Promises, Morgan Heritage and City Of Lights - 39.56, handily. Maximus, Indian Decision and Saratone - 39.00, handily. Female Bandit - 39.40, handily. Mir On Fire - 39.84, handily. Seductive - 44.62, pacing.
800 METRES: Life In Russia - 54.45, handily. Isle Be There - 57.92, pacing. Peace Of Mind - 55.06, handily. Bazodee Gal and El Guerrouj - 54.73, handily. From Now Till Then and Pharmist - 55.30, handily. Cyber Five - 54.95, handily. What’s Left - 54.36, handily. Smooth Operator - 59.99, pacing.