Racing Review - derby day from ANDRE E. BAPTISTE
September 25, 2006
Sweet Music plays for Barbadian Chris Husbands
In 2006 Royal Oak Trinidad Derby
CMC SPORTS: ARIMA - Maniram Maharaj, an apprentice jockey and a Barbadian connection turned back the hands of time to win the Trinidad Derby in front of a packed Santa Rosa Park on Monday afternoon. In 1988, it was the Barbadian owned filly Song N Dance ridden by apprentice Carlos John that gave Maharaj his first Derby winner and he doubled the feat when Barbadian apprentice Chris Husbands, on Robert Maharaj’s Sara’s Music, became only the second apprentice jockey to win the most prestigious race on the Trinidad racing calendar.
At the off, Barbadian challenger Bachelor Boy, who went off at 25/1, was hustled up to take the early lead but was quickly joined by Sara’s Music, 8/1 shot Bling Bling, 8/5 favourite Greek Princess and 99/1 outsider Adios Amigos. At the other end of the field was the slow starting Jamaican gelding, Harbour Master, PhantomoftheOpera and Mr. Shankar. The top Barbadian challenger, Top Lady, was held up in the middle of the field along with Windjammer and Fresh Prospect. As they went around the first corner, Bachelor Boy quickly backpeddled leaving Greek Princess and Bling Bling to dispute the early lead closely tracked by Adios Amigos and Sara’s Music. The order remained unchanged for most of the race although All For Java and then longshot Sing the Blues began to make headway. At the 600 metres marker, the favourite Greek Princess was joined by Sara’s Music on the outside with Bling Bling in between also throwing down a challenge. Further back the only horse making headway was another longshot, the 80/1, PhantomoftheOpera. At the top of the straight, Sara’s Music took a slight lead over Greek Princess with Bling Bling and PhantomoftheOpera, in particular, storming through on the rail. PhantomoftheOpera appeared at one stage to take a slight lead but the four horses battled side by side down the entire straight before Sara’s Music at 2/1 under an inspired Chris Husbands stuck his nose out for a shorthead win over Bling Bling. Greek Princess was a head behind in third with another head back to PhantomoftheOpera. Top Lady was very disappointing and she never threatened, while Bachelor Boy was nearer last than first and seemed not to handle to dirt surface. Fans are sure to remember the thrilling finish for many a year. The winner completed the 2000 metres event in the fairly slow time of 2.10
The day’s other feature, the Nursery Stakes was won by the 3/1 shot Luca’s Gold ridden by Brian Harding on a short riding stint from Jamaica. Harding had the colt in the slipstream of 4/5 favourite Madonna de Luna for most of the 1200 metres event before quickening clear in the homestraight. Great Memories stayed on to be a non-threatening third with Mistaken Identity fourth.
In addition to his win in the Derby, jockey Chris Husbands won two other events on the day’s card to be the leading rider with three wins. He teamed up with trainer Maharaj to win the opener on 7/5 favourite Stravinsky’s Secret before following up in the day’s eight race on 3/5 favourite Feelikemakinluv, which crushed her field by nine lengths. A number of foreign based riders also showed their mettle on the day’s card with top Canadian based jocks Johnno Jones and Patrick Husbands also being among the winners. Jones scored an impressive two length win on top creole Crown Point in an 1800 metres Handicap event. Patrick Husbands who suffered the misfortune of having his main ride in the Derby, Millionaire, scratched on the morning of the race scored a double on the day’s card being successful with 6/1 shot Captain Shiv and 5/2 second favourite Gems and Jewels in the two legs of an 1100 metres Optional Claiming event run off on a firm turf course. In addition to his win on Luca’s Gold, Brian Harding also scored a facile win on 7/5 favourite First Mate in the day’s tenth event, a 1200 metres Maiden event. Not to be undone, Trinidad based Gary Laban also scored a double via 2/1 shots Skippy’s Dream and Kato. Ricky Jadoo was successful aboard the impressive first time starter Divine Bull in the race for Imported Two Year Olds while apprentice Ryan Hasranah closed off the day with a win on the filly Ready Or Not at odds of 5/1 in the 1750 metres Optional Claiming event.
Among the trainers, Maniram Maharaj (Stravinsky’s Secret and Sara’s Music) and Douglas Bennett (First Mate and Ready Or Not) both scored doubles.
Sweet Music plays for Barbadian Chris Husbands
In 2006 Royal Oak Trinidad Derby
CMC SPORTS: ARIMA - Maniram Maharaj, an apprentice jockey and a Barbadian connection turned back the hands of time to win the Trinidad Derby in front of a packed Santa Rosa Park on Monday afternoon. In 1988, it was the Barbadian owned filly Song N Dance ridden by apprentice Carlos John that gave Maharaj his first Derby winner and he doubled the feat when Barbadian apprentice Chris Husbands, on Robert Maharaj’s Sara’s Music, became only the second apprentice jockey to win the most prestigious race on the Trinidad racing calendar.
At the off, Barbadian challenger Bachelor Boy, who went off at 25/1, was hustled up to take the early lead but was quickly joined by Sara’s Music, 8/1 shot Bling Bling, 8/5 favourite Greek Princess and 99/1 outsider Adios Amigos. At the other end of the field was the slow starting Jamaican gelding, Harbour Master, PhantomoftheOpera and Mr. Shankar. The top Barbadian challenger, Top Lady, was held up in the middle of the field along with Windjammer and Fresh Prospect. As they went around the first corner, Bachelor Boy quickly backpeddled leaving Greek Princess and Bling Bling to dispute the early lead closely tracked by Adios Amigos and Sara’s Music. The order remained unchanged for most of the race although All For Java and then longshot Sing the Blues began to make headway. At the 600 metres marker, the favourite Greek Princess was joined by Sara’s Music on the outside with Bling Bling in between also throwing down a challenge. Further back the only horse making headway was another longshot, the 80/1, PhantomoftheOpera. At the top of the straight, Sara’s Music took a slight lead over Greek Princess with Bling Bling and PhantomoftheOpera, in particular, storming through on the rail. PhantomoftheOpera appeared at one stage to take a slight lead but the four horses battled side by side down the entire straight before Sara’s Music at 2/1 under an inspired Chris Husbands stuck his nose out for a shorthead win over Bling Bling. Greek Princess was a head behind in third with another head back to PhantomoftheOpera. Top Lady was very disappointing and she never threatened, while Bachelor Boy was nearer last than first and seemed not to handle to dirt surface. Fans are sure to remember the thrilling finish for many a year. The winner completed the 2000 metres event in the fairly slow time of 2.10
The day’s other feature, the Nursery Stakes was won by the 3/1 shot Luca’s Gold ridden by Brian Harding on a short riding stint from Jamaica. Harding had the colt in the slipstream of 4/5 favourite Madonna de Luna for most of the 1200 metres event before quickening clear in the homestraight. Great Memories stayed on to be a non-threatening third with Mistaken Identity fourth.
In addition to his win in the Derby, jockey Chris Husbands won two other events on the day’s card to be the leading rider with three wins. He teamed up with trainer Maharaj to win the opener on 7/5 favourite Stravinsky’s Secret before following up in the day’s eight race on 3/5 favourite Feelikemakinluv, which crushed her field by nine lengths. A number of foreign based riders also showed their mettle on the day’s card with top Canadian based jocks Johnno Jones and Patrick Husbands also being among the winners. Jones scored an impressive two length win on top creole Crown Point in an 1800 metres Handicap event. Patrick Husbands who suffered the misfortune of having his main ride in the Derby, Millionaire, scratched on the morning of the race scored a double on the day’s card being successful with 6/1 shot Captain Shiv and 5/2 second favourite Gems and Jewels in the two legs of an 1100 metres Optional Claiming event run off on a firm turf course. In addition to his win on Luca’s Gold, Brian Harding also scored a facile win on 7/5 favourite First Mate in the day’s tenth event, a 1200 metres Maiden event. Not to be undone, Trinidad based Gary Laban also scored a double via 2/1 shots Skippy’s Dream and Kato. Ricky Jadoo was successful aboard the impressive first time starter Divine Bull in the race for Imported Two Year Olds while apprentice Ryan Hasranah closed off the day with a win on the filly Ready Or Not at odds of 5/1 in the 1750 metres Optional Claiming event.
Among the trainers, Maniram Maharaj (Stravinsky’s Secret and Sara’s Music) and Douglas Bennett (First Mate and Ready Or Not) both scored doubles.
posted by Andre @ 6:56 PM
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