Tragedy struck Royal Moon at Santa Rosa Park

The field for this year’s 87th edition of the Trinidad Derby has been lessened by one.

Tragedy struck at Santa Rosa Park, Arima, on Friday morning, when after comnpleting a 1200 metres gallop timed in one minute 20.1 seconds, Royal Moon collapsed from an apparent heart attack and died.

This Jamaica-bred son of Rising Moon/Royal Sea was owned by Dave Chadee and trained by father Harold to take his chance in the $500,000 blue riband event.

The Chadees unfortunately lost an unraced two-year-old which also collapsed on the track and died.

The race to be run over 2000 metres on Independence Day next week Thursday will be the highlight of the card on new sponsors Massy Insurance Day..

Meanwhile, leading contenders for the Derby, Leading Lady and Valorous looked very sharp in preparatory gallops.

“The Lady,” winner of the Midsummer Classic strode over 1000 metres clocked in one minute 02.4 seconds.

And Valorous had a lively spin over 600 metrestimed in 35.3 seconds.

Selected gallops on Friday: 400 METRES: DIVINE INSPIRATION - 29.0 Pacing; ONE FORTHEROAD - 23.0 Good; STOCKYARD - 26.0 Handy; ZHILIANG - 25.3 Good.

600 METRES: VALOROUS - 35.3 Good.

800 METRES: CONQUEST BESPOKE - 51.1 Good; ERRAZURIZ - 56.0 Pacing; HELLO - 50.1 Good; PEACE N Glory - 50.0 Good.

1000 METRES: ALRUNA -1:02.0 Good; JUNEAU- 1:08.0 Pacing’LEADING LADY -1:02.4 Good; MADIBA - 1:00.4 Good.

1200 METRES: MISSIONPOSSIBLE - 1:18.3 Pacing;

NEWTHINGINTHONG - 1:20.3 Pacing;