Sir Gallovic eyes first start of '08

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Sir Gallovic, who edged out True Metropolitan in the Grade 3 Premiers last October, will probably make his 2008 debut in a race that was specifically written to exclude True Metropolitan.

Because of the overwhelming presence of True Metropolitan, the top older horse in Canada for the past two years, a no-conditions allowance race that was in the condition book for Monday did not come close to filling. When a 6 1/2-furlong allowance race with the clause "non-winners of a sweepstakes in 2008," was put up as a late extra, it filled easily when eight horses were entered.

This will be Sir Gallovic's first start since he finished fifth in the Grade 3 All American Handicap at Golden Gate on Nov. 17. Trained by Troy Taylor, Sir Gallovic was the top 3-year-old at Hastings last year with 3 wins from 4 starts. In his only loss here at Hastings, he had a rough trip in his third-place finish behind Celtic Dreamin in the Grade 3 British Columbia Derby.

Taylor has also entered Winter Warning but said he would not start if the weather forecast calling for rain is correct.

"One will run here, and the other one will head down to Emerald for the $50,000 stakes there next weekend," he said.

Taylor was referring to the 6 1/2-furlong Fox Sports Network on May 26.

Spaghetti Mouse finished second to True Metropolitan in the George Royal Stakes May 3 and looks like the main threat to Sir Gallovic.

The other stakes winners in the very good field are Lord Nelson, B R Remark, Forceful Intention, and Ookashada.

As for True Metropolitan, his trainer, Terry Jordan, said he was not sure where or when the classy 6-year-old gelding would make his next start.