Loud Music ready to play on

LOUD MUSIC showed he was ready for his 11 rivals in the Angostura 1919 Rum Handicap, on Royal Oak Derby Day, tomorrow, when he stepped 400 metres in the good time of 23.8 seconds at Santa Rosa Park, Arima, yesterday morning.

The Maniram “Boboy” Maharaj gelding recorded the best time for the trip, amid chit chat by early morning railbirds as to which hjorse will finish second to Top Of The Class in the Blue Riband event itself. These knowledgeable turfites were all split in their selection, but most believed the rapidly improving Undisputed will be the one although not having raced over a distance of ground. Many point to the John O’Brien-trained Due Dilligence, but this former star performer has been plagued by leg problems lately, although showing glimpses of his better form during gallops. The Jamaican-bred Super Grey has his followers while the filly Sweet Tempo, winner of the Oaks Stakes over the Derby distance, and stablemate Celebration Time, despite his disappointment last time out, will have their backers.

Barbados will be represented by Sweet Dreams and Ginger Bay, but neither seemed to appeal to the pocket of turfites gathered at the course yesterday morning. And they saw no hope of Jamaican-bred but Bajan-owned Royal Red finishing in the top three. The talk shifted to the Diamond Stakes, and while the majority went for Sugar Mike, there are some doubters because of the 60.5 kilo (133 lbs)  impost. Heads nodded in agreement that one of Maharaj’s four runners will prevail in the Nursery Stakes. Which one?  It is a toss up between Sunday Jewel, Java Takeover and Java In Style. Most believe Java In Style will show the way home, but it is not an open and shut situation, as 2Sharp, Skippy’s Dream and Jay-Low have been shaping well at gallops, and JD’s Express continues to show improvement.

Gallops recorded yesterday:
400 METRES - CHEERLEADER - 24.3; CORNERSTONE - 26.6; JAVA IN STYLE - 26.0; KALYAN - 26.7; LOUD MUSIC - 23.8; ONCE IN A LIFETIME - 24.1; PRINCIPLE - 26.3;
600 METRES - CARNIVAL MESSIAH - 43.0; CASH REWARD - 44.9; COTONOU - 36.8; FRESH MANDATE - 42.9; JAVA TAKEOVER - 43.3; MAN OF CLASS Breezed - 36.5; MANDELA - 37.7; MELANIE MY LOVE - 40.3; REGENT BOY - 37.9; RHYTHM DIVINE - 38.0; UPSET ALL - 40.3.
 800 METRES - BOLD FAPP - 57.4; FULL OF PROMISES - 57.7; SUNDAY JEWEL - 57.5.
1000 METRES - SEA SPIDER - 1:11.2; SUNNY - 1:13.2.