BIG PAYMENTS HIGHLIGHT THE DIAMONDS INTERNATIONAL/AUDEMARS PIGUET RACEDAY
BY CHARLIE HEATH
Fans enjoyed an exciting day at the Garrison Savannah on Saturday October 28, 2006 the First Day of the Barbados Turf Club's Third Racing Season.
Following the rain on Friday October 27, 2006, track conditions were good to soft for the first time in a while resulting in a change of form. As a result punters who knew the horses that liked these conditions capitalized.
In the day's first race the winner PURE TEMPTATION paid a handsome $75.10 to win whilst the third placed horse SANDALA paid a whopping $114.60 to place.
In the day's third race DESTINY'S CHILD paid $18.70 to win. The Trifecta combination of 4-1-2 paid $791.85.
In race five SUPER STAR paid $21.50 to win whilst in race eight SWADE paid $64.90 to win and $11.30 to place.
The superfecta combination of FAVORITE PLAYER, WHISKEY FOR ME, BIRDIE POINT, and DON ANGLESONNY in race nine paid $3,487.40.
The Diamonds International/ Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Gents Stakes & Trophy, for West Indian bred 2-year-olds, colts and geldings only, over 1000 metres (5 furlongs) was the first feature race on the card.
APOSTLE with jockey Anderson Trotman was the first out of the gates followed by SUPER STAR with Keveh Nicholls. These two led until they reached the two furlong marker when SUPER TARASON with Jamar Maughn and the unbeaten THE SUNDANCE KID with Juan Crawford began to close in.
As they straightened up for home it was all SUPER STAR and he went on to win from stable companion SUPER TARASON giving owner Mrs. Gay Smith and young promising trainer Edward Walcott Jr. a one-two finish. THE SUNDANCE KID ran on to be third whilst APOSTLE was fourth.
The second feature was the Diamonds International/ Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Ladies Stakes & Trophy for West Indian bred 2-year-old, fillies only, over 1000 metres (5 furlongs).
First time starter BABY BIRD with apprentice Jonathan Grant in the saddle was first out of the gates followed by AQUARIUS STAR with Paul Leacock and SHOCK AND AWE with Rocco Bowen.
These three raced in that order until they reached the two furlongs from home marker when Rajpaul Rajkumar challenged with KATE O' CONNOR.
With a furlong to go SHOCK AND AWE held the lead with KATE O' CONNOR breathing down her neck and HAWAYAN TROPIC with Jason Leacock who had come from a long way back closing fast.
As they passed the post it was KATE O'CONNOR who ran out a comfortable winner from HAWAYAN TROPIC with SHOCK AND AWE holding on for third and LA PRINCESSA fourth.
Jockeys Jamar Maughn and Keveh Nicholls both rode two winners as did apprentice jockey Rocco Bowen.
Trainer Edward Walcott Jr. was the only trainer to saddle two winners on the ten race card.
Racing continues next Saturday with the feature races being the Elliott Williams Memorial Juvenile Breeders' Championship Stakes & Trophy (GR. 1R. - BAR) for Barbados bred 2-year-olds and the Sagicor Life Breeders' Classic (GR. 1R. - BAR) for Barbados bred 3-year-olds and over.
There will also be live coverage via satellite of the 8 Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championship races from historic Churchill Downs in Kentucky, USA.