Sugar Mike to prove he has arrived

SUGAR MIKE looks a star in the making and can continue his meteoric rise up the ranks by landing the Indian Arrival Day Turf Handicap feature on the Arima Race Club Day 16 card at Santa Rosa Park, Arima, today.

The son of Ponche/No Sugar who started his career at Calder Park in the United States, came to the fore in his very first local appearance at the back end of last season, finishing less than two lengths behind Cash Wager and Napoleon in the Stewards Cup, the premier sprint event on the racing calendar. He returned two weeks later to again mix it up with the top bracket in the Gold Cup. Tackling 2000 metres for the first time he showed good stamina with a stout display behind “Horse of the Year”Adawar. . Given some time off to acclimatise, the four-year-old wasted no time in turning the corner by scoring his maiden success in eye-catching fashion over allowance company. The Grant Lourenco inmate was then pitched further up to Handicap grouping in his next start. And Sugar Mike did not dissapoint, flying past the opposition to win under the hands and heels of champion jockey Rajpaul Rajkumar, after sitting in the shade of the early pace makers.

Today’s race over 1725 metres on the Turf will be another test for this strapping individual, having raced exclusively on the sand. But the Bertwin Samlalsingh-owned colt exudes so much class that he is  expected to pass today’s test with flying colours. Adawar had an outstanding 2002 season. The Roland Khan-owned six-year-old, who has an outstanding record on the turf was laid up with  problems after lifting the Gold Cup. He made a belated first appearance in the Champion Stakes in April, but did not show the dominant qualities he is known for and was beaten by Invincibility. The run was a clear indication that he has not recovered fully and it may pay to overlook him and side with the other Irish import in this staying contest. Canaima is of unknown quality but the manner in which he went through his paces leading up to today’s event shows clearly that he has some tactical speed and staying powers, the ingredients necessary for such a tough race. Invincibility and Outswinger have shown a likeness for the grass and are expected to prove best of the rest in the seven-horse race worth $75,000. Golden Honour has confirmed she is among the leading contenders for classic honours this season. The champion two-year-old filly of last year was not disgraced behind top colts Top Of The Class and Royal Flush in the Easter Guineas and is given a confident vote against the nine fillies in the Gleneagle Stakes. Cornerstone who raced with an injury in the Guineas has not shown the same fire since. But the daughter of Freshly Squeezed has a proven record and should fight out the minor purse in this 1800 metres co-feature on the 10-race programme with Fir-estorm, My Aphrodite and Sweet Tempo.