Sugar Mike aims at Diamond Stakes now

WITH the Independence Cup safely in the bag, Sugar Mike will now be aimed for the Arima Race Club Diamond Stakes. The Grant Lourenceo-trained bay colt is among 13 horses for which second subscriptions have been paid. Third and final subscriptions of $300 are due on Monday. Napoleon, fondly called The Emperor, is set to make a return to the track after a long lay off in this Grade 2 race over 1350 metres to be run off on Republic Day, September 24. This speedy grey locally bred four-year-old will match strides with Chanticleer, Fortunate Flag, Gold Conveyor, Invincibility, Lovely Honoree, Man Of Class, Miss Lover Lover, Movietowne Magic, Outswinger, Smooth Operator and The boss, Sugar Mike.

Also down to be contested on the same day is the Arima Race Club Nursery Stakes for the two-year-old babes. This race over 1200 metres has attracted 29 babes including the Maniram “Boboy” Maharaj owned and trained Sunday Jewel for which a penalty of $1,400 was paid to get into the event. But a surprise omission is Java In Style, also owned and trained by Maharaj , and a winner on Monday. Included in the field are four yet to be named two-year-olds. Final subscriptions for this event are also due on Monday. There are 21 three-year-olds left in the Royal Oak Derby over 2000 metres including Top Of The Class who will be seeking to emulate stablemate Carnival Messiah by winning the triple crown, achieved two years ago.