by TYRONE EVELYN

APOSTLE, an easy winner of last Saturday's Michael Parravicino Memorial Hopeful Breeders' Stakes, has pushed himself up into Triple Crown contention.

Since Zouk became the first horse to land the prestigious Triple Crown last year, and in the process a $100 000 bonus, race fans have been looking forward to this year's series of races with considerable interest.

The Triple Crown comprises the Banks Barbados Guineas, which runs off in April and goes over 1 570 metres; the Pinnacle Feeds Midsummer Classic which is also over 1 570 metres and takes place in July; and the United Barbados Derby which runs off in August over 1 800 metres.

Leading candidate

Prior to last Saturday's race, the Arthur Brothers' Kate O'Connor was seen as the leading candidate for the Triple Crown, along with Gay Smith's Super Star and Super Tarason, both of which also impressed as two-year-olds.

Kate O'Connor, as expected, was installed favourite to win last Saturday's Hopeful Stakes, a warm-up to the Banks Guineas, the first of the Triple Crown races, but the filly did not fire at any stage of the event.

Ridden by Jamar Maughn, who died tragically in a motorcycle accident on Monday, Kate O'Connor never threatened as she produced a listless performance to finish seventh of the 12 horses.

Kate O'Connor was the champion two-year-old of 2006, and the filly had easily won over 1 570 metres on January 20, hence her being installed favourite last Saturday.

Future champion

One can expect that connections would have her ready by the time the Banks Guineas come around next month.

Apostle, on the other hand, stamped himself as a possible future champion even if he does not go on to win the Triple Crown, which is not easy to achieve.

The Andrew Nunes-trained animal made practically all of the running last Saturday, and what was impressive about his performance was how he ran on in the homestretch after being kept busy by Shock And Awe for the first five-and-a-half furlongs.

To be taken on by the speedy Shock And Awe for that length of time, and still have enough in the tank to go on at the finish is the hallmark of a good horse – a possible champion in the making.

He turned the tables on Charlie Blue and Aquarius, both of which had defeated him over the same distance the previous race day. Charlie Blue ran on to finish third, while Aquarius finished fourth.

The other horse to impress in the race was Hawayan Tropic, who ran on strongly in the homestretch to finish second.

This Victor Cheeseman-trained filly showed that she needed a distance of ground, so that when the Derby comes around she could be a danger to all.

Contention

The first four – Apostle, Hawayan Tropic, Charlie Blue and Aquarius – along with Kate O'Connor, are the ones most likely to be in contention for the Triple Crown.

These, along with Super Star and Super Tarason, at this stage look the horses most capable of having a say in the Guineas, the Midsummer Classic and the Derby.