Isle Be True thunders past field at Norman Singh horserace meet

Dec 17, 2008 Sports

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Mr. Chris Jagdeo’s Isle Be True returned with a bang to upstage its opponents in an impressive display of speed to win the feature B class event when the Norman Singh Turf club in collaboration with the Customs Racing stable held one of the biggest horserace meet on Sunday last at their No6 West Coast Berbice track.

Eight Races were held on the day with over $5,000,000 up for grabs. Running out of the Jagdeo and Sons construction racing stable of No 1 Road Corentyne, the champion horse showed no signs of its recent long lay off.

Isle Be True was true to form, out-distancing its opponents in one of the most devastating victories seen in B or C class events in a long time to win by 12 lengths and take the $400,000 first prize and the Banks DIH Premium Beer Classic trophy in the one mile event in front of one of the largest crowds to have gathered at the venue.

Being touted as the race of the year, it featured one of the most exciting fields assembled for the event, which included pre-race favourite and top horses in Sequins, running unbeaten in its last six races, Miss Republic, unbeaten in its last three encounters, along with Delmur Gold, Little Pannie and Laura Lee in Flight and three American bred horses.

Turfites were excited at the prospects presented as the betting boys picked their favourites.
Isle Be True performance was so impressive that it made the high class field look like a bunch of starters, winning from gate to pole.  As the starting gates flew open all the horses had an excellent start, with the champion immediately starting to distance itself from the chasing pack early.

Delmur Gold and two American bred horses in Annie’s Play Mate and Irish Gel were in hot pursuit. As the race played out there was no stopping Isle Be True as Jockey Michael Semple pushed his mount full throttle. 

By the half way mark there was no question as to who would have been the winner, Isle Be True thundered full blast to the finish as fans looked at the distance of victory and who would have placed second.

Some 12-15 lengths behind three horses came galloping over the line together, but in the end the judges ruled that Little Pannie of the Mohan stable and ridden by Daniel Flores was second.   Delmur Gold of the Elcock stable with Rupert Ramnauth on mount finished third ahead of stablemate Miss Republic ridden by Paul Delph in fourth. Sequins was beaten into submission, finishing second to last.

The other feature event, the Norman Singh three year old Derby, also lived up to expectations. With a hefty first prize of $350,000 on offer in the 1400m race, It was the Gap that took the early lead being pressed by Jumbo Joy and the Message.

As the horses hit the final turn it was Jumbo Joy with Colin Ross which powered to the front, a lead it held to the end, squeezing out a rapid finishing Message of the Elcock stable ridden by Paul Delph which was running in Guyana for the first time.

The Gap of the Customs Racing stable with Desmond Ramnarine on board held on for third.
Sir Balagie of the Customs racing Stable and ridden by Yap Drepaul was in top form as it retained some royalty in winning the $220,000 first prize in the F class 1200m gallop. The race was close throughout as Balagie squeezed ahead of stablemate Laura Lee in Flight.  Fairy Tale Romance placed third and Fire Power ran out of steam to finish fourth.

Mr. Colin Elcock champion sprinter Alphabet, running out of the Delmur Shipping Company stable made sure that it put things in order in winning the G and lower 1200m race and take away the $160,000 purse.  Alphabet, piloted by Rupert Ramnauth came through with a blazing finish to win from the Gap and Sir Balagie both of the Customs racing stable.

De Lyan of the T. Singh stable ridden by Colin Ross made sure that its roar was effective as it devoured its competitors in winning the Two year old Maiden, non winners event which had $160,000 on offer for the winner in the 1000m sprint. Prince Warrior, Indian Flag and Fantastic Light finished behind the champion.

Colin Ross piloted Kavinci of the Jumbo Jet stable took to victory in the I and lower 1400m race and the $140,000 first prize. Finishing Touch, El Gato and Cheyenne completed the podium.

Fairy Tale of the Simms stable with jockey Daniel Flores in the saddle edged out Zebra to take the J and K 1200m contest with Wonder Lite wonder in third. The win was worth 120,000.

It was a blessed day for Blessed Child of the Sancho stable, piloted by Ramsammy as it took the L class 1200m dash and the $100,000 first prize ahead of Power Master, Moon Rush and Lucky Star.

Over 70 horses took part in the day’s activity which was witnessed by one of the largest crowds to see a race meet at the venue in excellent weather for racing.

Jockey Colin Ross was named champion rider and claimed the Trophy Stall trophy from proprietor Ramesh Sunich.

Added incentives on the day were the drawing of the raffle where five lucky persons won scooters.
The holders of tickets Numbers 2242, 1576, 1267, 2991 and 4953 will enjoy a nice Christmas gift compliments of the Customs racing stable. 

In a comment to the media, the organizers noted that the added incentives offered at the venue was aimed at helping bring back the sport of horseracing as a family sport and to make sure a few lucky persons have a truly enjoyable Christmas in the spirit of the season.

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