ZOUK CANTERS TO VICTORY IN THE
C. O. WILLIAMS GROUP OF COMPANIES FILLIES GUINEAS (GR.1RF. - BAR)
BY CHARLIE HEATH
The Richard Edwards owned filly ZOUK, who is by Carpe Diem out of Jazz Girl by Boomerang, slammed her rivals in the feature C. O. Williams Group of Companies Barbados Fillies Guineas (GR.1RF. - BAR) on Saturday, June 10, 2006, the First Day of the Barbados Turf Club's Second Racing Season.
As the horses left the gate for the 1570 metres (7.8 furlongs) race, jockey Juan Crawford let ZOUK run her own race and that was from the front.
Anderson Trotman on FIRST CLASS TICKET decided to take up the challenge and raced alongside ZOUK, whilst Shane Collymore on the Elizabeth "Liz" Deane trained BODY N SOUL settled into third.
Going up the backstretch the Sir Charles Williams owned FIRST CLASS TICKET, trained by Andrew Nunes continued to try and pressure ZOUK.
The two continued in the lead until they reached the two furlong pole when Crawford gave ZOUK her head. She quickened beautifully and separated herself from the field going on to a very easy and impressive victory.
Jamar Maughn in the saddle of the Andrew Nunes trained TOP LADY came from a long way back to finish second; the maiden DIPITINHONEY ran on to be third whilst FIRST CLASS TICKET after feeling the pressure of trying to go with ZOUK faded into fourth.
On this performance ZOUK showed that she is without question the best 3-year-old filly in training and one of the best in recent times.
Having won the Banks Barbados Guineas (GR.1R. - BAR), ZOUK certainly puts a lot of interest into the next two jewels of the Barbados Triple Crown.
Jockeys Anderson Trotman, Juan Crawford and Ricardo Hibbert each won two races on the days card whilst trainer E. Clayton Greenidge was the only trainer to saddle two winners.
Racing continues Saturday, June 24 with the feature race being the Consumers' Guarantee Insurance Company Limited Barbados Breeders' Sale Trophy for West Indian bred 3-year-olds which were entered in the BARBADOS BREEDERS' SALE held on Sunday December 12, 2004 over 1100M and the Val Gale Cup for AI & LOWER class horses over 1800M.