Nine horses are expexcted to go to post including King Arthur who was erroneously left out of the original entry list.

And that is the one likely to get to the post first, with Dark Treasure, Desert Dancer and Man To Come being his biggest dangers.

Hi5 bettors will have a single winner bonus of over $5,000 to aim for while those favouring the Superfecta will have a whopping single winner bonus of $39, 289.00.

Meanwhile, there will only be 38 racing days this season, down by six from last year’s 44.

Only two months will have four day’s of racing – April and August. All other months will have only three days.

The trophy will arrive in Trinidad on Monday, where it will be on show at the Flow Sports headquarters and will be showcased at activities for fans over a two-day period.

Fans will be able to see the FA Cup in its historical glory at Movietowne in Port of Spain on Tuesday from 2.30pm to 5pm.

In addition to taking their own photos, fans will also be able to participate in games for Manchester United tokens and other prizes.

On Wednesday, the trophy will be taken to Barbados, then to Jamaica from Thursday until January 21 and will end the tour of the Caribbean in the Cayman Islands from January 21 to 24.

Dwight Yorke, Manchester United Ambassador, who himself lifted the FA Cup in 1999 with United’s glorious treble-winning team, will join Flow as a special guest on the final leg of the tour to make a special announcement about the soon to be launched skills-development initiative for young footballers – another Flow/Manchester United partnership.

“This is all for our customers who are lovers of the beautiful game,” said Garfield Sinclair, newly appointed president, Flow Caribbean.

“We are the home of sports in the Caribbean and our relationship with Manchester United enables us to give our football fans this amazing opportunity to get up close to the FA Cup, which for some, is a once in a lifetime event.

This certainly underscores Flow’s commitment to give sports fans more of what they want.” For more information visit the Flow fan page on facebook and the event page at https://www.facebook.com/ events/1215346008535161.

“Vintage Fuh So – Caribbean Invasion” is the theme of the January 27 showcase which will feature songs from many of the top calypsonians across the Caribbean region, being performed by David Michael Rudder, Rupert “Swallow” Philo, Alston “Becket” Cyrus and Anthony “Gabby” Carter.

“We’re making history by bringing together calypso hitmakers from here and up the islands,” stated HNCPPA president, Priya Gomes-Mora. “Rudder will be singing the crowd favourites from his extensive catalogue… We’re also bringing back those memories associated with songs like “Government Boots”, “Jack”, “Party in Space”, “Wine on Something” and many more from the Mighty Gabby of Barbados and King Swallow from Antigua. With Vincentian “Becket” included, patrons can expect to hear classic calypsos such as: “Lord Laro”, “Winston Soso”, “Beckett”, “Gyal Ah Rush Meh”, “Small Pin Does Chook Hard”, “I Doh Mind”, “Tempo” and others from that era…” Backed by Vincent Rivers and his ensemble and complete with extempo extraordinaire, Phillip “Black Sage” Murray performing the role of MC, “Vintage Fuh So 2017” is guaranteed to thrill its audience who support this annual fund-raiser. Aside from the action inside the hall, “Vintage Fuh So” also pays tribute to the traditions of Carnival outside in the car park and the foyer with a pan-around-the-neck band and a host of “ole mas” characters appearing, including but not limited to: moko jumbies, bats, baby dolls, minstrels and jab devils.

The “Vintage” experience begins around sunset at 6.30 pm with on stage action from 8 pm.

This week, we profile Gabby from Barbados whose “Boots” was one of his most popular songs in TT.

Hailing from the Emmerton community in the neighbouring isle of Barbados, Anthony Carter was given the nickname “Gabby” as a child and first had success as a calypsonian in 1968, when his performance of the song, “Heart Transplant” won him the title of Barbados Calypso Monarch.

Gabby won the title again in 1969 with “Family Planning”, but rather than build on this success, he concentrated on acting for the next few years instead and joined the Barbados Theatre Workshop – then composing much of the music for its play, Under the Duppy Parasol – which had a successful run in New York. In fact, it wasn’t until 1976 that he returned to music and competition success, as his “Licks Like Fire” gave him the first of a string of victories at Crop Over.

He then earned the Folk Singer of the Year award for three successive years from 1977 to 1979 for “Riots in the Land” “Bridgetown”, and “Bajan Fisherman” and in 1979, “Gabby” won the Crop Over Road March title with “Burn Mr Harding” and went on to tour Cuba.

Gabby then courted controversy in 1985 with “Cadavers” – a commentary on the Barbados government’s decision to allow dead bodies from the US to be stored on the island. He was sued by the government, but then prime minister, Tom Adams died before the case came to court and the case was subsequently shelved. He continued to produce controversial material, including “The List” – which dealt with Aids; “Jack” – which criticised the local tourist industry for giving preferential treatment to foreign visitors and “Boots” – a scathing attack on the Barbados government’s assistance in the US invasion of Grenada in 1983.

The festive evening saw 2012 Calypso Monarch Duane O’Connor launch his 2017 song, “Looking Beyond”, an event which prepares him for the prestigious National Calypso Monarch competition.

O’Connor said he started the concept back in 2015 and feels very confident that it has been working for him. “I think the Calypso Monarch competition is the best competition in the world, it started way back in 1939 and has added value to the Carnival agenda, it may have lost its shine along the way but it still valuable to the art form in Trinidad and Tobago.

Several young calypsonians were on hand to help O’Connor launch his song and they all performed before he sang it.

Josanne Rodriguez did “Alexander” and “Facebook Lovers”, Mark Eastmond sang “Trinbago Wake Up”, Nicholas Ashby did “Beautiful Trinbago”, Mr King performed his hits “O Laventille” and “”Borderline” before he delivered “Legacy Music” a song he said came to him from his father (King Austin) in a dream.

Mr King said his father told him he could do all that he (King Austin) did not do in calypso.

Also celebrating with O’Connor were Twiggy with “Recession Time”, Contender with “Who Will be Next” and Kyle Cowie with “Hail the Chief ”.

O’Connor’s song “Looking Beyond” was composed by master composer Gregory Ballantyne and arranged by Pelham Goddard.

Former minister of culture Joan Yullie-Willaims, former Mayor of Port-of-Spain Keron Valentine and several other calypsonians were in attendance.

Mothers praised Drop which was used over the holiday season to transport their offspring to and from the many parties and fetes rather than them drive under the influence. Older women spoke of the safety and concern by the Drop drivers some of whom have already become favourites and are on special request by these ladies whether it is to drop or pick them up from the grocery, hairdresser, church, wherever.

My friend, Joyce, who no longer drives, request is for Shelton.

I myself used Drop to Trinity Cathedral in downtown Port-of-Spain to cover the bishop’s sermon at midnight mass on Christmas Eve for Newsday.

My driver Adrian arrived at the door at least ten minutes before scheduled time and was outside the cathedral, after I had called in a change in pick-up time, before I stepped out of the side door, waiting to walk me to the car and further saw me to my door.

As I told my offspring at lunch the next day,“I am always dropping my car into the many potholes, Adrian drove around the potholes.” Two business entrepreneurs saw this niche market which can be used for business or pleasure and with younger family members set up 866-Drop.

The drivers have been thoroughly interviewed with complete background checks – especially when one takes into consideration the safety issues in TT today.

For the drivers, it is also an easy way to make money through self-employment, whether fulltime or in their spare time, using their own cars which have to be in pristine condition.

A call to Drop’s centre or communication with mobile app is all that is needed to make a booking.

Your particulars are taken by very polite staff who give you your driver’s name and also call you back to reconfirm address, time and destination.

On mobile apps, a computer process allocates a driver and the call centre will confirm your request. Fees are affordable and you can opt for the driver to wait at an additional cost, return at a certain time or through a phone call when you are ready to be picked up

I have conducted diligent and vast research, reading scientific studies conducted throughout the world so as to attempt to confirm the effect of climate on the timing of puberty, however my attempts have proven to be of no avail.

Puberty has proven to be biological, with genetic and environmental factors thought to be involved in the timing of this hormonal activity.

However, no scientifically conclusive evidence of climate being involved in the timing of puberty has been forthcoming. I therefore request that Senator Dr Mohammed, provide to the citizenry the necessary scientific study or studies read by his good self in coming to the conclusion that climate affects the timing of puberty in girls and that the attainment of puberty is sufficient for the consideration of marriage of a minor.

While I do understand that Senator Dr Mohammed is under no obligation to provide the requested information, I am of the firm opinion that any person appointed to represent the citizenry should do so by providing the most honest, well researched, fact based and scientifically proven information, particularly where that person is sitting in the seat of our democracy. Further, any person making statements in our Parliament on issues that would greatly affect minors and by extension, our country, should be willing to put forward the necessary evidence to support his/her conclusions.

It is embarrassing that we are debating whether the age of marriage should be increased to ensure child marriage becomes illegal, and it would be even more embarrassing to us as a nation if Senators and other Members of Parliament are allowed to put forward information in the public domain that has absolutely no evidential basis so as to justify and advance personal and religious views to the disadvantage of our young girls.

I do not on any account support child marriage and cannot justify puberty being a factor in deciding whether a girl should be married or not.

Nonetheless, in respecting democracy and the opportunity she affords to every person in being entitled to their opinion and, respecting freedom of religion, I would greatly appreciate being educated by Senator Dr Mohammed, on the effect of climate on the timing of puberty and the relationship between puberty and marriage.

On behalf of all the like-minded citizens of Trinidad and Tobago, I await Senator Mohammed’s timely response.

Philip D Koo nj Beharry Maraval

It is good to see that “Divestment is an option”.

If the Union does not come up with a viable plan on divestment for Petrotrin to run profitably then foreign Oil companies must be approached about divestment.

The Petrotrin refinery is important for the economy and its history must not be forgotten.

Descendants in this country of those who fought for England in the first and second world wars can remind us that during the second world war, the Petrotrin refinery continued to supply Aviation fuel for the Spitfire planes in England that helped shoot down Hitler’s German planes after Hitler had conquered France.

This forced Hitler to turn back from attempting to conquer England to try to conquer Russia.

This was also foiled by Russian troops prevention and eventually led to the defeat of Hitler by the allies in the second world war.

Antho ny Arrinde ll Port-of-Spain

The other bands are bp Renegades, Republic Bank Exodus, MHT Starlift and Skiffle.

The song has been very popular since Crop Over in Barbados last year. However, CAL Invaders and Massy All Stars have opted for local music with MX Prime’s “Full Extreme”, while La Brea Nightingales and PCS Nitrogen Silver Stars favour “We Are Conquerors”. But Ken “Professor” Philmore, Len “Boogsie” Sharpe and Amrit Samaroo have decided to go for their own compositions with NLCB Fonclaire doing Philmore’s “Panorama Soldiers” sung by Keith “Designer” Prescott, Petrotrin Phase II Pan Groove playing Boogsie’s “Red, White and Black” and Super Novas expecting to “Rumble in the Jungle”. Birdsong will play “Pan Kingdom” and RBC Redemption Sound Setters have selected “Scene”.

In the Medium Band category three female arrangers will do battle among their male counterparts.

Michelle Huggins- Watts will lead Valley Harps to do “Total Disorder”, Dr Jeanine Remy will be “Ducking” with Sforzata and Shenelle Abraham and St Margaret’s Superstars will opt for some “Bacchanal”.

The other medium steel orchestras include Tokyo (Drive It), Courts Sound Specialist (Dangerous), Cordettes (Cheers to Life), Southern Marines (Big People Party), West Side Steel (Max it Up), San City (Good Morning), Arima Angel Harps (Far From Finished), Couva Joylanders (Band of the Year), Scherzando (Stranger), Hatters (Engine Room), Melodians (Um Ba Yo), Pamberi (Gee Gee Rae), Pan Elders (Roti), Pandemonium (Cheers to Life).

Coming in from Tobago are Buccooneers Steel (Rhythm Run Things), Steel Xplosion (Wet Meh Down) and Katzenjammers (Good Morning). Several other bands have not forwarded any information to date.

However, the semi-finals is expected to return to the Arima Velodrome this year. From there, 22 artists will vie for the coveted crown – 20 from the semi-finals and two wild cards.

ISM spokesperson, Therese Rahim-Doolam, made the announcements yesterday evening at the ISM launch at the Brian Lara Promenade in Port-of-Spain.

She noted that the finals of the 2017 Lotto Plus ISM would retain last year’s structure.

There would be no Groovy and Power categories but one show with one monarch.

There would also be a return of a local live broadcast of the show.

However, international viewers will have to wait for the edited and packaged show on Carnival Saturday on Pay-Per- View.

“Carnival 2017 in the City of San Fernando is alive,” Joseph said yesterday.

“We already have commitment from two corporate bodies which will make up the shortfall and the committee is also engaged in fund-raisers.” The National Carnival Commission (NCC) has committed a total of $1.1 million to San Fernando Carnival at a recent meeting.

Among the popular events on the Carnival calendar to he hosted by the SFCC are the National Stickfighting Finals and Single Pan Finals at Skinner Park, San Fernando.

The night of San Fernando Monarchs also stays. Joseph is promising an “enhanced spectator experience” for burgesses in San Fernando and environs.

“We approached NCC for infrastructure to enhance the spectator experience so there will be some improvement in that area,” said Joseph who himself is a masquerader in the southern city as he also promised no compromise in the quality of this year’s Carnival.