O’Brien looks for big ‘double’

Firestorm signalled that she is in top shape for tomorrow’s Oaks Stakes by closing off her campaign with a breeze up the stretch yesterday. The Jack Debideen filly is expected to be among the market leaders in the 1900 metres event, which shares the spotlight with the President’s Cup on the 11-race Emancipation Day card. She shook off any cobwebs that may have appeared late with a 23.42 seconds posting for the 400 metres run yesterday at Santa Rosa Park, Arima. The daughter of Freshly Squeezed/Concordia with raceday rider Ricardo Jadoo aboard, continued at steady clip on passing the winning line before draining off in the backstretch. Both her rider and trainer must be pleased with the manner in which she stood up to her preparations and will be optimistic of banking the $45,000 winners’ cheque with the game frontrunner. Also seen out yesterday getting final touches done to preparatory programme were Millenium Reign and Phantom Bidder, the two-pronged attack of trainer John O’Brien in the President’s Cup.

The top trainer also has Cornerstone in the 10-strong Oaks Stakes for West Indian bred three-year-old fillies. Both O’Brien’s Cup representatives stretched their legs over the last 800 metres of the course, while his filly, who had been on the sidelines with injury for the major part of this season was given a light round around the course. The champion trainer, noted for not ducking questions around crunch time, is hopeful of landing both features, but recognised the main events are very competive.  “It will be very difficult,” the BWIA captain said.

Regarding his chances in the Cup, O’Brien favoured neither of his runners. “Both will give good accounts of themselves in the 1900 metres staying event and everything will depend on how the race unfolds early,” he said. There is no doubt about Cornerstone’s ability to stay the Oaks trip of 2000 metres, he said. “She is not the soundest going into the event. But we have been able to work around her problems. She stood up nicely to the test and will run big,” O’Brien said.

Following are yesterday’s recorded gallops:
400 METRES: Firestorm - 23.42, good. Finest Gem - 23.64, good. Fortunate Flag - 23.68, good. Sir Steven - 29.93, pacing. You’ve Got Mail - 28.99, pacing. Atlantic Breeze - 29.57, pacing. Full Of Promises - 27.96, pacing. Indian Game - 27.21, easy. Hyarima - 29.96, pacing. Ula - 25.20, handily. Touch Wood - 27.17, handily. Redoubled - 25.27, handily. Fantastic Lad - 28.00, pacing. Golden Shuflleur - 27.72, easy. Lazar Wolf - 25.98, handily. Return To Sender and Danzc With Class - 26.08, handily. Millenium Dancer - 27.93, pacing. Bound To Dot Com - 29.98, pacing.
600 METRES: Kalyan - 35.21, good. Trying Something - 36.53, good. Maid Of Honour - 39.86, handily. Due Dilligence - 44.96, pacing. Piece Of Cake - 40.42, easy. Toronto Star - 40.39, handily. Serah’s Trick - 40.70, easy. Honor Bound - 42.73, pacing. Shezabute - 42.17, pacing. Baggy Greene - 44.91, pacing. Francesca - 43.86, pacing. Undercover Angel - 39.71, handily. Java In Style and Sunday Jewel - 43.73, pacing. Fresh Mandate - 44.99, pacing. Juanistheman - 40.70, handily. Uncle Joe - 40.27, handily.
800 METRES: Ex If You D - 57.92, pacing. Richie Rich - 56.11, pacing. Millenium Reign - 53.75, handily. Born To Charm and Aishwarya - 54.62, handily. Travel Agent - 52.52, handily. Ring Dang Do - 54.99, pacing. Phantom Bidder - 59.17, pacing.
1000 METRES: Top Of The Class - 1:02.40, good. Cheerleader - 1:04.94, handily. Dealer’s Choice and Peace Consort - 1:14.30, pacing. Law Of The Land and Be My Hero - 58.50, pacing. Stormy Season - 1:10.57, pacing.
1600 METRES: The Chairman - 1:50.49, handily.