By MIDAS Monday, March 24 2008

IT is now decision time at Santa Rosa Park, Arima, when the Arima Race Club stage their Republic Bank Limited-sponsored Easter Monday horse racing spectacular.

All pre-race day picong done and at approximately 5 pm today, turfites, owners and trainers and all others connected to the principals would know just who won the feature $100,000 Republic Bank Champagne Stakes, the Republic Bank Ibis Stakes and Republic Bank Flamingo Stakes, both of which carry a $50,000 bounty.

But before all this, however, turfites could witness the return of the Republic Bank Easter Bonnet Parade, with the womenfolk displaying their fancy chapeau. Even before this though, all turfites will observe one minute silence in celebration of the life of the late Joanne Boodoosingh, and all flags at the track will be flown at half staff.

The feature attraction on today’s programme, the Champagne over 1600 metres on the turf course promises to provide a thrilling finish with half dozen of the eight runners capable of taking the top prize. It appears to be a toss up between last year’s Gold Cup winner Crown Point, Hello Yankee who will be chasing a double, Divine Bull, All For Java and Straight Ahead.

My idea of the winner, however, is “The Yankee” to score a repeat ahead of the game Tobago-bred Crown Point with Straight Ahead, Commander In Chief and Divine Bull battling for the shorter end of the purse. The Ibis Stakes over 1350 metres appears to be a straight fight between Dream Girl and Judy The Judge and the vote goes to the latter, but Fairy Dancer could be the fly in the ointment.With a field of just six runners, the Flamingo also over 1350 metres should go to Suga Boy but he will be hard-pressed by Silent Reproach, King Of The Road and The Message.

Today, Republic Bank Day, will see the ARC introducing the Hi-5 bet with a guaranteed purse of $25,000 in which turfites are challenged to pick the first five horses past the post in correct order. It will cost just $1 per bet.