Kalyan flashes some speed at gallops

WITH the clock ticking away toward Wednesday’s Royal Oak Derby Day, trainers were concentrating on putting their horses through their final paces. And while the majority of  the 136 runners on the 10-race card have completed their preparations and are enjoying a cooling off period, some trainers late on putting  in finishing touches over the two previous days chose to have their horses breeze over short distances. Kalyan, who matched strides with Diamond Stakes entrant Miss Lover Lover earlier in the week,  came back on Thursday to again show her blinding speed. Galloping from the top of the straight, the Edmund De Freitas-trained filly ate through the ground to clock 22.95 seconds for the 400 metres run,  to be best on time for the distance.

Champagne Wager has not done anything of note in his races since his arrival, but the American-bred four-year-old which raced at Penn National, sent out a  signal that he has come to hand by clocking the fastest time over 600 metres  on the same morning. With the unraced Lit D’Armour for company, the Glenn Mendez inmates flew over the distance in 34.57 seconds. Skippy’s Dream was another show some toes, after showing a good attitude while schooling. This filly galloped out of  the boxes along with Entertainer, and the Stephen Jardim-trained Nursery Stakes hopeful held  her own against her older companion in posting 36.18 seconds between the 1200 and 600 metre markers. Beautiful Mind, who withdrew from the Royal Oak Derby after he failed to be a factor in the Sagicor Life Saver II Handicap won by Undisputed, enjoyed reverting to what he knows best, sprinting The speed merchant holding an engagement in the 12-horse Angostura 1919 Rum event over 1200 metres on Republic Day, streched out over 800 metres in an impressive 48.17 seconds.

And stablemate Sweet Tempo who just managed to get on the tins after she failed in derby prep against older horses came out soon after and did just as good. The bay filly, who like the triple crown seeking Top Of The Class, is owned in partnership by Rupert Leong Poi and Merlin Samlalsingh, showed promise of giving a good account of herself in the Wednesday’s spotlight event, clocking 1:02.01 seconds over 1000  metres in her final let down gallop. Yesterday, runners in Blue Riband classic came out only to do light work. But while they were placed on easy street, the “babes” engaged in the Nursery Stakes were seen sharpening up for the 1200 metres sprint. Trainer Maniram “Boboy” Maharaj’s trio of Sunday Jewel, Melanie My Love and Java Takeover showed they were all ready by galloping over the last 400 metres of the course in 23;30 seconds. Another juvenile entrant Jay Low, who hails from champion trainer John O’Brien’s barn, had a comfortable spin over the same trip in 24.52 seconds in company with Speedfuhso. Lady Rossie, a clever winner last time out, showed she has kept her form well when the Terrence Bates-trained filly had an impressive solo run over 600 metres in 35.21 seconds.

Following are the gallops recorded yesterday: 400 METRES: Melanie My Love, Sunday Jewel and Java Takeover - 23.30, good; You’ve Got Mail and J D’s Express - 25.34, handily; Phantom Bidder - 27.77, pacing; Speedfuhso and Jay Low - 24.53; good; Mir On Fire - 26.78, handily; Yaa Asantewaa - 29.39, handily; French Academy - 28.98, pacing; Alamanamou and Sou Sou Moni - 29.17, pacing; Under Influence - 29.92, pacing; Toronto Star - 25.15, handily. Upset All - 26.75, handily; Salsa Moves - 29.93, pacing; Cheerleader - 25.45, handily; Cornerstone - 28.99, pacing; Bandinthong - 27.49, handily; Man Of Class - 29.92, pacing; Duke’s Jason - 25.36, handily.

600 METRES: Sweet Dreams - 36.87, good; Lady Rossie - 35.21, good; Supreme Dancer - 36.50, good; Iron Will - 44.02, pacing; Trying Something - 38.25, handily; Winning Trick - 42.92, pacing. Punto A Punto - 40.60, easy; Travel Agent - 41.98, pacing; Lady Croft - 42.40, pacing. Sea Spider - 44.90, pacing; Morgan Heritage - 41.12, handily; Bite De Bullet - 44.95, pacing; Serah’s Trick - 38.16, handily; Jattahyu - 39.80, handily; Due Dilligence - 40.53, handily; Bonus Point - 42.24, pacing; Pattie’s No Angel - 44.98, pacing; Never Ever Worrie and Lantern Lady - 37.80, handily.

800 METRES: Sunny - 49.20 good; Pure Delight - 51.00, good; Kent’s Delight - 59.08, pacing; Golde Conveyor - 58.39, pacing; Erin Dancer - 54.12, handily; Fortaleza - 52.89, handily. Fabulous Risk and New Star - 57.77, pacing; Regent Boy - 55.35, easy; Maid Of Honour - 55.41, handily; Lovely Pearl - 57.33, pacing; Smooth Operator - 59.84, pacing; Hollywood Star - 57.27, pacing.

1000 METRES: In Swinger - 1:08.84, handily; Tricky Guy - 1:05.00, handily; Hatrick - 1:09.40, handily.

1200 METRES: Van Nistelrooy - 1:23.27, pacing.     
Here are Friday’s gallops: 400 METRES: Kalyan - 22.95, good; Miss Emma - 24.95, good; Mandela - 22.95, good; Van Nistelrooy - 28.43, pacing; Jay Low - 26.98, handily; Speedfuhso - 27.27, handily; Indian Decision - 27.38, handily; Due Dilligence - 29.92, pacing; Java In Flight - 29.73, pacing. 

600 METRES: Champagne Wager and Lit D’Amour - 34.57, good; Skippy’s Dream and Entertainer - 36.18, good (Boxes); Digital Alarm - 41.01, handily; Yaa Asantewaa - 42.23, pacing; Bandinthong - 42.23, pacing; Sunny - 44.98, pacing; Principle - 38.35, handily; Mayaro Breeze - 43.73, pacing; Loud Music - 40.31, handily; J D’s Express - 44.97, pacing; Indian trouble - 39.42, handily. 

800 METRES: Beautiful Mind - 48.17, good; Isle Be There - 58.84, pacing; Maid Of Honour - 59.56, pacing; Top Of The Class - 56.84, pacing; Guardian Angel - 52.96, handily; Hollywood Star - 54.67, easy.

1000 METRES: Sweet Tempo - 1:02.01, good; Jena’s Delight - 1:08.06, handily; Duchess Alicia - 1:12.55, pacing.