Virtual unknown, Grande Roja, of the Jumbo Jet stable created another upset at the Port Mourant Turf Club on Sunday, at the Annual Emancipation Day seven-event horse race meet.
Grande Roja followed in the hoof prints of Champtress who upset a top class field at the pre-Caricom meet one month ago. Ridden by jockey Andron Findley, Grande Roja thundered down the homestretch leaving Gullium, who held the lead for most of the race, in its wake for second place. Grande Roja won $600,000 for the stable, compliments of Banks DIH and the Akash Singh Supermarket trophy. Over 70 horses participated in the day’s activities which had over $4M up for the taking. A fast finishing Miss Orientate took third place followed by Pinch the Cash in fourth.
In the three-year-old co-feature 1500m race for Guyana and West Indies bred horses Better than Gold of the Kris Jagdeo stable, easily won the $400,000 top prize and the Balram Shane trophy from Celebrating Love, also of the Jagdeo stable, followed by Face the Fire and Captain Cook.
Jagdeo’s stable came in for more success when Sabrina Princess won convincingly in the E class event, running away with the $300,000 winner’s prize and the Crown Spot Lemonade trophy ahead of Night Crescendo, Majestic and Appealing Harvest respectively. Findley also rode Serenity to victory in the two-year-old event for Guyana and West Indies bred horses for $300,000 ahead of Blessings. Serenity is also of the Jumbo Jet stable.
Some controversy erupted in the G class 1200m event won by Top of The Line of the Jumbo Jet stable for the $240,000 top prize and the Ganesh Gas Station trophy.
Fears had been expressed that Top of The Line ran out of its category and the matter is currently being investigated. Momzele, Zeolona and Maracas Star also placed in that race.
Sun Raise of the Totaram Rohit stable also won the double in the two I class 1200m events. First it took the I-3 race from Diplomat, Infinity and J.D Junior respectively. Then in the I-2, it beat Zebra, Apostle and J.D Junior. The wins were worth $120,000 and $140,000 each while both trophies were donated by El Dorado Homes and Crystal Hall of the USA.
Ramnauth was named the champion jockey; Jumbo Jet, the champion stable and trainer Sham ‘Short man’ Chattergoon was named the champion trainer. They each received trophies compliments of the trophy stall Bourda Market and the organizers.
