FIRST TIME RUNNERS WIN DIAMONDS INTERNATIONAL/AUDEMARS

PIGUET FEATURE RACES

BY CHARLIE HEATH

Both feature races on Saturday November 15, 2008 were won by first time starters at the Garrison Savannah on the Barbados Turf Club's Second Day of the Third Racing Season.

The first feature on the card The Diamonds International/Audemars Piguet Royal Oaks Ladies Stakes and Trophy for West Indian bred 2-year-old fillies going 1000 metres (5 furlongs) was won by JANAKI a bay filly by Janak out of Passionata.

From the off Andy Ward broke ONE LOVE smartly to take the early lead followed by JANAKI, MAGIC MONEY and ROCK STONE another first time starter.

Positions remained unchanged until the two furlong marker when Anderson Trotman on the Sir Charles Williams owned, Andrew Nunes trained, ROCK STONE passed a fading ONE LOVE to move into second, but there was no stopping the Yusuf Mongroo owned, Victor Cheesman trained, JANAKI, who won from ROCK STONE with the Faraway Stables SWEET ENOUGH, trained by Clayton Greenidge and ridden by Chris Husbands third.

The second feature,The Diamonds International/Audemars Piguet Royal Oaks Gents Stakes and Trophy, for West Indian bred 2-year-old colts and geldings going 1000 metres (5 furlongs) was won by the first time starter DARK KNIGHT.

Juan Crawford broke DARK KNIGHT, a 2-year-old bay colt by Surya Bhagwan out of Twice As Stylish smartly and took the lead while Andy Ward on the Lord Michael Taylor-Clifton Racing owned SOUL REBEL tracked in second.

These two contested the lead until reaching 50 metres from home when the Attie Joseph 111 and  Saffie Joseph Jnr.  owned AREUTALKINTOME joined the pair but the Elizabeth 'Liz' Deane trained DARK KNIGHT, owned by Christopher Gibbs, had too much in the tank and went on to win. AREUTALKINTOME trained by Saffie Joseph Jnr was second and the Richard Deane trained SOUL REBEL finished third.

The Diamonds International/ Audemars Piguet Deva (Condition Race) for the C and lower going 1800 metres (9 furlongs) was won by the Sir David Seale owned Liz Deane trained PREACH TO ME who got up in the last few strides under a patient ride by Christopher Husbands. Second was the Aysha Syndicate owned JUST JIVING with Kyle Carter, giving Deane a first and second finish in the race. COPY THAT finished third.

Two jockeys scored doubles, Apprentice Kenny John and Juan Crawford.

Trainer Elizabeth 'Liz' Dean once again saddled a hat trick of winners, winning races five, six and seven.

Roger Parravicino also had a good day saddling two winners.

Young 15-year-old schoolboy Dario Bryan, who only last Tuesday was issued with a licence to ride, had a dream start to his career by winning the the day's third race with the Stephen Kellman owned JOHNNY SAD BOY trained by Hyden Nicholls.

The Barbados Advocate congratulates young Bryan who is sure to win many more races.

The wet underfoot conditions that horses in recent times have not seen produced some exciting finishes and payments were outstanding throughout the day as horses who relished the conditions came into their own.

Racing continues on Monday, December 1, 2008 with the feature races being the BNB Major League Stakes and Trophy (GR.1. - BAR) for A1 and Lower over 1800 metres (9 furlongs), The BNB Right Start Stakes and Trophy for Imported (non-West Indian bred) 2-year-olds over 1100 metres (5 ½ furlongs) and the BNB William "Bill" Marshall DFC SCM Memorial 2-year-old Creole Classic Stakes and Trophy (GR.1R. - BAR) for West Indian bred 2-year-olds over 1570 metres (7.8 furlongs).