Zelik created a major upset in the feature B and Lower Class event to capture the Ryan Crawford Memorial Turf Club (RCMTC) Triple Crown horse racing title on Sunday at the club’s turf at Alness, Corentyne.
The horse, mounted by Prem Chandra, outshone pre-race favourites Message, Champtress, Miss Republic, Night Crescendo, Delmur Gold, Miss Orientate and Pinch the Cash and took the $1M first prize and trophy, compliments of Ansa Mc Al.
The 1700m race saw 11 horses jostling for lead positions but Zelik pulled away from the field with about 50m to go.
Crawford stable’s Miss Orientate finished second while Pinch the Cash and the Message came in third and fourth respectively.
Yap Drepaul, riding Dubai Duchess of the Sheriff stable, won the F Class 1200m sprint ahead of Momzele and Miracle Run, both of the Elcock stable. The winner received $500,000 and the Ponai Tickaram trophy.
Face the Fire, trained by Ivan Dipnarine, was too hot to handle, running away with the Three-year-old 1600m event for West Indian bred horses.
Face the Fire was most dangerous down the homestretch, causing Gold Plated, Captain Cook and Technology to fade while pre-race favourite Irish Girl finished down the order.
The winning package was $500,000 and trophy, compliments of CARICOM Insurance and Metro Office Supplies.
Red Cloud, out of the Ashraf Alli stable, took victory in the Two-year-olds that features horses that were bred in the Caribbean. The horse copped the $450,000 Delmur Shipping Company first prize and the Norman Singh Memorial trophy. Princess Haya, Serenity and Rosetta finished in descending order.
The other Three-year-old event, which featured purely Guyanese bred horses over a distance of 1600m, also saw an upset when Princess Renukha, from the Arjune stable, beat pre-race favourite Wicked Intention, for the $400,000 winning purse and the Glendon Miller memorial trophy.
Silent Night and JD Junior rounded out the money.
Habibulla stable’s, Bailiff, seized the G class 1600m race after a tussle with Celebration Time. Prados Gold and Pegasus Rising were the other top finishers. Bailiff carted off $400,000, compliments of GT&T, and Romell Jagroop and the Roopnauth Sewsankar trophy.
Having a Nice Time won comfortably ahead of the other Two-year-old Guyana-bred horses in the 950m race and copped the $400,000 first prize and Gun Henry Memorial trophy; News Time and Watch My Shadow were second and third respectively.
Royal Champion won the H and I Classes, which were in memory of Senior Counsel Marcel Crawford’s wife Lillian Crawford.
The horse first won the I class 1400m race over Mona Lisa II, Extra Heat and Savion. Then it took care of business in the H class ahead of Dream Girl, Pixie Fire and Zebra. The wins were worth $180,000 and $300,000 respectively.
On the other hand, there was some uncertainty after the JKL 1400m, which was won by Royal Intention, with War Time and Great Prospect, coming in second and third respectively. It was learnt that Royal Intention ran out of his class, according to organisers in a press release.
The horse took away the $150,000 first prize and the Hookumchand Trophy but a decision is pending on what will be done.
According to the release Ramnauth and Nacimento finished with two wins each, while Royal Champion was the champion horse for its two wins and Ramnauth was adjudged the champion trainer. They received prizes, compliments of Hookumchand, Fazal Habibulla, Trophy Stall, Bourda Market, and the RCMTC.
