With six days to the prestigious Grade One Trinidad Derby at Santa Rosa Park, Arima, champion trainer John O’Brien holds all the aces.
Seven horses are expected to face the starter in the final jewel of local racing’s “Triple Crown”, the Trinidad Derby which will be run on September 24 (Republic Day) at Santa Rosa Park, Arima.
Forever Grand, who won the second jewel of local racing’s “Triple Crown”, the Midsummer Classic by a commanding 1 3/4 lengths in the hands of a confident Nela Mohammed, looked superb on Sunday when travelling very easily over 800 metres in 53.56 seconds. He went through his gallop in a commanding fashion and quickened easily in the final 300metres for a wonderful run. He will no doubt go very close in the Derby come Republic Day.
What makes it difficult is the fact that no horse has won two legs of the “Triple Crown”, with Uncle Rog taking the first leg, The Guineas and Forever Grand winning the Midsummer Classic. Both winners were trained by O’Brien who no doubt will have his trio of runners ready for the Derby. The Poon Tip Stud Farm Limited-owned three-year-old bay gelding Forever Grand continued on his upward spiral as he prepares for the final jewel.
On Sunday, Forever Grand gave the champion trainer another glimpse at success in the biggest race of all, The Trinidad Derby over 2,000 metres on the main track at Santa Rosa Park. Forever Grand raced over 600m in 38.88 seconds. He looked good and is ready for the Derby.
His stablemate and the champion two-year-old of 2023 Headlines Again was just as good racing over 800m in the time of 52.73 seconds. She looked well and looks likely to improve for the two-turn event. She could be anything. Uncle Rog was also seen out as he paced over 400m in 27.07 seconds. He is set. The pressure is on O’Brien to land the winner. It will be close between the Headlines Again and Forever Grand. However, the two-year-olds of 2024 are all getting set with many of them being seen out on Sunday with the duo of Ex. Soca Rhapsody and Mulan producing the morning’s best time 37.41 for the 600m trip. They will all play a part in the first two-year-old event coming soon.
Lester Alexis sent out Midnight Lover over 600m and the thoroughbred which did not race in the Independence Cup cruised to a wonderful 36.80 seconds for the trip. He looked good and carried himself well during the gallop and has shown that he is keeping his form.
Two-year-olds Valiante and Bold and Brave went well over 400m and produced the good time of 23.19 for the trip. Both horses should be in the note-books.
Here are the gallops recorded at Santa Rosa Park on Sunday.
Sunday’s gallops
400M: Bold and Brave and Valiante 23.19; Tequila Rose 24.60; Uncle Rog and Princess Royal 27.07; By View 29.60; Soca Synergy 29.65; Princess Aruna 29.84.
600M: Hot Rod Kashton 36.54; Midnight Lover 36.80 (Turf); Unbelievable 37.19; Ex. Soca Rhapsody and Mulan 37.41; Ex. Blue Tequilla and Amazing Ashley 37.41; Forever Grand 38.88; Twitter King 39.72; Ex. Treasure Girl and Ex. Saint Honey 40.03; C’est La Vie and Pawan Putra 40.20; Empress Hassan 40.40; Ziah 40.95; Pure Strike 41.12; Magnifico 41.44.
800M: Leonardo Angel 48.78; Mia’s Cat 48..95; Red Alert 51.96; Headlines Again 52.73; Little Lady and Secret Pages 52.98; Striking Chrome 53.25; CP Jet and Mona Lisa 53.95; Bayou Jazz 55.01.
1,000M: The Goddess Nike 1:06.32; In The Headlines 1:12.75.
