Annie’s Playmate shock favourites

Dec 28, 2009 Sports

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Zenyatta captures Digicel Trophy

 

Annie’s Playmate ridden by jockey Yap Drepaul produced one of the most memorable homestretch runs in recent memory to capture the feature ‘C’ & Lower Class race at the Kennard’s Memorial Turf Club Meeting which was held, at its Bush Lot Farm in Berbice.

The race sponsored by the Kharag Family of Queens, New York had a first prize of $1million and a trophy and Annie’s Playmate trained by E. Matheson and owned by Magistrate Chandra Sohan destroyed pre-race favourites The Message, Miss Republic, The Gap and Irish Gel in a dramatic duel inside the final furlong.

Racing over 8 furlongs, Miss Republic and Irish Gel picked up the running from the start along with Miss Oriente and Sir Balajie and they tussled for the lead over the first 4 furlongs with Annie’s Playmate neatly tucked behind the frontrunners and on the rails.

As they hit the backstretch, Irish Gel ridden by 2009 champion jockey Kumar Singh raced to the front of the pack followed by Miss Republic with Annie’s Playmate and favourite The Message ridden by jockey Paul Delph still not in contention, but making rapid ground.

Irish Gel turned for home with a comfortable lead of about three lengths and Singh constantly looking over his shoulders for potential challengers as they raced to the 3 furlong pole.

It was then that Annie’s Playmate and The Message made their move in pursuit of Irish Gel and Miss Republic with the finish line fast approaching and punters anxious for a big move by hot favourite The Message which was not to be.

However, it would be the fast finishing Annie’s Playmate, taken on the rails by Drepaul that challenged the aggressive ride by Singh in an impressive showing, driving to the finish line to win by one and a half lengths much to the shock of punters, owners and handlers.

Irish Gel held on to the runner-up spot, while Miss Republic staged off a storming late run by The Message for third.

The co-feature three year-old event for horses bred and born in Guyana and the West Indies also had its fair share of excitement.

With some $200,000 and the Buddy Joree Trophy on offer for the winner in the 7 Furlong race, It was another stunning finish that was needed to produce a winner as Lady of My Dreams of the Elcock Stables with Rupert Ramnauth on the mount that came through with a blaze of speed to take pole position in style ahead of Top of The Line, Stylish Line and Miracle Run. The event was highly competitive as the lead change hands on numerous occasions and just when it look as it was going to be a close finish Lady of My Dreams woke up and came through from the back to gallop past its competitors for the win.

Digicel Guyana Limited was the main sponsor of the 2yr old event which featured animals Bred and Born in Guyana and the West Indies.

Pre race favourite Zenyatta of the Jumbo Jet stable and ridden by Prem Chandra had to pull out all the stops to hold off a fast finishing Jem’s Pride of the Rumour’s racing stable with Rupert Ramnauth in the saddle. Zenyetta as usual took to front early and opened up a sizeable lead and looked set to score another big win, however as the animals took to the home stretch Jen’s Pride started to gather momentum and with a burst of speed started to close the gap with every stride and just lost out by a neck, leaving its handlers wondering what if it had taken up the challenge earlier. Miss Bounty and Stormy Water rounded out the top four.

The F class event as always is known to produce top class match ups and this occasion just lived up to expectations as Fresh prospect of The Chris Jagdeo Stable with Rupert Ramnauth on board created another major upset in a star cast field in yet another fantastic finish. The experienced jockey was able to squeeze through down the home stretch to take the $200,000winner’s money as it outclassed Laura Lee in Flight, Mattarazzi and World Class in the 6 furlongs event.

Finishing Touch continues to live up to its billing as one of the better finishers on the horse racing circle. It was yet another such performance that brought victory in the H class race sponsored by DDL for the Eldorado trophy and the $150,000 first prize. There was nothing funny in the win as the champion animal of the Mahendra Singh stable with Kumar Singh riding simply outshone Star Streek, Prospectors Pride and Funny Side in another pole position placing in the 1 mile gallop.

Clear Victory of the Nityalall stable mounted by Daniel Floris made sure that nothing was in its way as it negotiated a win in the ‘I’ & Lower 3 year-old event in carting off the $130,000 winners’ money compliments of Republic Bank and another Eldorado Trophy as Casino Royal, Power Master and Star Streak were burnt into submission over the 6 furlongs battle.

The day’s proceedings started off nicely with a win for Lyana of the Bharrat Stable. With jockey Paul Delph guiding the animal through its path, the win set the stage for what was to come with a close victory as it romped away with the $130,000 first prize in the I’ 3 match up for horse that never won an event. Rock the Riches, Fantastic Light and Miss Washington completed the top positions.

The distance was another 6 furlongs event as Foolish Pleasure made sure there was no fooling around, battering its opponents from gate to pole to win the K&L race over 6 furlongs sponsored by Metro and P&P insurance Brokers and the Mana Dowlatt trophy.

The win was worth $100,000, while Beyonce and Silver Kid and Sporting Time had to settle for the lesser prizes.

At the end of the day’s proceedings the Jumbo Jet stable came out as the top stable. Jockey Rupert Ramnauth claimed the top prize ahead of Yap Drepaul and they received trophies compliments of Ramesh Sunich of the Trophy Stall of Bourda Market.

They were presented with their accolades by Francis Chichester and Amernauth Kirtipaul of the Guyana Horse Racing Authority (GHRA).

Some 70 animals took part in the day’s proceedings which had over $4M in prize monies on offer.

 

 

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