The Glenn Mendez-trained turf champion Just Call Me Roger looks set to continue his winning ways, when he returns to racing in the co-feature NLCB Champagne Stakes over 1,600 metres on the turf at Santa Rosa Park, Arima.
Just Call Me Roger journeyed to Barbados for the Gold Cup but did not fare as well as expected, however, he can regain the thread in this event under Wilmer Galviz.Last year in this event, Just Call Me Roger was fourth behind upset winner Rock Movistar, with stablemate and former Gold Cup winner Cactus Amour in second. Just Call MeRoger took off soon after though, and won the Eric Durant Memorial and the Independence Cup on the turf.
His main rival, should he handle the fast turf course, will be the Stephen Jardim-trained Mobthewarrior, last year's Gold Cup winner. This Canadian-bred thoroughbred came here with a big reputation and finally camera good in the Gold Cup on Boxing Day when ridden close to the pace.Mobthewarrior's seasonal debut performances was disappointing and he has had some serious work since then. He has galloped superbly in preparation for this event where there are nine horses entered for the $150,000 Grade One contest.
Mobthewarrior's final let-down gallop saw him fire a "bullet" workout of 59.98 seconds over 1,000 metres on Wednesday morning. Mobthewarrior had raceway jockey Brian Boodramsingh aboard and the six-year-old gelding was most impressive.
Last year, he was sixth in this event and he needs to improve to beat Just Call Me Roger.The Maniram Maharaj-trained Fly Junior is one of the horses that must be respected. The shrewd Maharaj knows how to win the big ones and his 1,100-metre turf record-holder Fly Junior, will be expected to go all the way if given an uncontested lead. The question is, will Fly Junior stay 1,600 metres on the grass?
Champion trainer John O'Brien will attack this event with one runner, Silverleo, which will be partnered by Emile Ramsammy. This horse must improve to win this event and with Ramsammy's urging could find a place.Another with an outside shot in the event is Joezel, stablemate of Just Call Me Roger. This decent performer will be ridden by Ricky Jadoo and must be given some consideration.
Joezel worked well but his stablemate looks set to carry the torch for the Mendez camp. From my perspective, Just Call Me Roger will be very difficult to beat tomorrow as Mendez enjoys champagne.For the first time ever, the Arima Race Club (ARC) will make available its local race day for viewing to all FLOW subscribers.Tomorrow, Easter Monday, the NLCB sponsored Easter Guineas race day will feature the first leg of the local Triple Crown, the NLCB $315,000 Easter Guineas (GR.IR) for West Indian bred three-year-olds over 1,800 metres and the secondary feature, the Champagne Stakes.
This historic venture was made possible by NLCB and FLOW in association with the ARC and its president Hugh Lee King expressed the industry's gratitude.
