Guyana’s premier thoroughbred, Vera’s Finally was the odds on favourite to win yesterday’s feature C and Lower one-mile event at the overflowing Rising Sun Turf Club.
Lucky Star did not get the memo.
The chestnut Coat with jockey Ronaldo Appadu in the stirrups sent turfites at the club’s muddy track into a frenzy as he played the role of spoiler, galloping to a huge upset victory over some of Guyana’s premier trotters including the fleet footed Storm Bird who played second fiddle.
Fans were buzzing with excitement in anticipation of a three-peat for the favourite, but the Cheffoon Racing Stable steed trampled the pre-race hype and expectations to win by about five lengths and pocket the $2.2M first prize.
Storm Bird’s owner Faizal Habibulla would not be too disappointed since he pocketed the $1.1M second place winnings. Half that amount went to Settling Star’s owners.
Simple Side of the Jagdeo Racing Stables placed fourth in the six-horse field.
Here is how the race unfolded: Storm Bird who had won the G class 1100m sprint earlier in the day, set a blistering pace straight out the first post and established itself as the early pacesetter. Lucky Star then changed gears to close the gap on Storm Bird pulling along Settling Star and Simple Side in his gallop.
At this point, Vera’s Finally who had won the event in 2017 and last year, and her Jumbo Jet stablemate, Don’t Overlook were out of the running but the massive crowd anticipated a heroic comeback. That would not happen.
The top four horses were jostling for the lead as Ross whipped the front runner, Storm Bird and gave it full rein. With the vocal crowd which included Director General, Joseph Harmon and Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo on its feet, Lucky Star went clear and increased it’s lead with every powerful stride and drew off on the homestretch to seal the win which was worth an appetizing $2.2M.
It was the first feature win for Lucky Star, a G class horse in the Guyana Cup since it first started in 2007. Vera’s Finally and Don’t Overlook brought up the rare.
Meet Summary:
Race 1 (J 1 3 Year Old-1100m)
Catholic Boy
Sunday Silencer
Uprising King
Perfect Dream
Race 2 (J 2 Classic-1400m)
Gold Again
Red Region
Mary Ann
Race 3 (L Class-1400m)
Prince
Pikachu
Release The Heat
Awesome Banner
Race 4 (G Class Sprint-1100m)
Storm Bird
TNT
King Arthur
Race 5 (L Class Cup-1400m)
Fresh Dancer
Secret Dancer
Silver Charm
Race 6 (3 Year-Old Guyana Bred One-Mile)
Valentina
Isn’t He Perfect
Mahaica Star
Ebony Prince
Race 7 (I Class-1600m)
Not This Time
Gold Again
Mary Ann
Catch A Glimpse
Yesterday’s Champion jockey was Appadu with two wins. Rising Sun Stables took the top stable honours.
The ‘Sport of Kings’ continues on September 15 at the Port Mourant Turf Club.(Emmerson Campbell)
