Canada-based Sunny Singh shows class

Feb 23, 2010 Sports

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– Produces brilliant ride on Illogical to win feature event

It was the perfect setting for a wonderful day of horseracing, brilliant sunshine, fast track and a packed house and all the other components came together on Sunday at the Rising Sun Turf Club organised Meeting which took place at Arima Park on the West Coast of Berbice.
Canada-based jockey Sunny Singh produced a remarkable performance which will remained etched in the memories of those who were fortunate to be present to witness jockeyship of the highest standard.
Singh brought in by the Habibulla stables for the Meeting was crowned champion jockey after posting an impressive four victories and a second place from seven starts to grab the Trophy Stall trophy, while his performance enabled the Habibulla stables to win the top accolade in that department and a trophy compliments of Ramesh Sunich of Trophy Stall.
Riding in the feature ‘C’ class event, the little known, but ever improving Illogical of the Habibulla stables created a major upset by winning a contentious race which saw the two other joint favourites Irish Gel and Home Bush Baby hitting the ground as the field approached the turn for home, allowing Illogical to past the post unchallenged.
The packed arena was abuzz with excitement as the horses entered the starting gates for the feature 1600metres event sponsored by Jumbo Jet Auto Sales with a top prize of $600,000.
With a recent history of different horses winning the feature event at the last four Meets the race managed to create much excitement with the likes of Irish Gel, Annie’s Playmate and Miss Orientate all recent winners listed to start, along with recent import and highly reputable Home Bush Baby.
Leaving the gates bunched together for a smooth start, it was Illogical ridden by champion jockey Sunny Singh who took to the front and opened a bit of a gap between them and the field.
A fierce battle ensued down the back stretch with Illogical still holding a slim lead over the fancied Irish Gel, Annie’s Playmate and Miss Orientate.
As they approached the turn for home with Illogical still maintaining the lead and jockey Sunny Singh skilfully avoiding the traffic, it appeared as though Irish Gel ridden by Kumar Singh and Home Bush with Prem Chandra aboard got into a tangle, perhaps jostling for the rails and both came crashing to the ground, throwing the jockeys in the process.
This created a bit of confusion for the back markers Miss Orientate ridden by Paul Delph and Annie’s Playmate with Daniel Floris on the mount, who had to utilise all their skills to avoid a similar path.
By then, however, it was all over bar the shouting as Sunny Singh brought Illogical home by some six lengths with Miss Orientate second and Annie’s Playmate third.
Zenyatta of the Jumbo Jet stables with Prem Chandra in the saddle continued its dominance in the three year old event as it won from gate to pole to take the jointly sponsored Digicel Banks/DIH event and the Digicel trophy.
He ran virtually unchallenged to take home the $250,000 first prize in the 1300M event. Celebration Time of the Elcock stables made a gallant effort to catch up, but could only finish second with Stormy Water finishing third.
Sea Rocket of the Romell Jagroop stable won the $150,000 and the Khyume Baksh trophy in the ‘F’ class showdown sponsored by Banks DIH Limited.
The race was another debatable affair which saw a star-studded field assembled in one of closest finishes of the day.
The race was hotly contested throughout with plenty of jostling and bumping as the horses tried desperately to break free in their quest for victory.
It took the home run to separate horses as Rupert Ramnauth aboard Sea Rocket came through to win by a whisker and claim its first victory from World Class with Krishna Singh in the saddles, Top of the Line and Laura Lee In Flight as they rounded out the money as Night Crescendo failed to place.
Alphabet of the Elcock Trading Company stables took the opportunity to rearrange things as it won the Banks DIH sponsored ‘G’ class event worth $120,000 and the Banks DIH trophy.
Running in the first event of the day Alphabet was away early and assumed a lead and never relinquished, holding off a fast finishing Gigli of the Habibulla stables with Sunny Singh in the stirrups. Pixie Fire and Lady of My Dreams did not get the dream they were looking for as they ended third and fourth respectively.
Casino Royale of the Ayube Baksh stable had a royal time on the turf, ending the day’s proceedings with two wins from as many starts. To be crowned champion horse claiming the ‘I’ class and the Division 1 races.
With only one previous victory under its belt the horse showed that it will be a force to be reckoned with, finishing strongly in both races.
Ridden by Champion jockey Sunny Singh and trained by Fazal Habibulla, Casino Royale came through to take the Division One 1100M sprint and the $100,000 top prize sponsored by Chris Auto Sales and the Romell Jagroop trophy by some six lengths from Tiny 21, Blessed Child and Sunday Star. Casino Royale returned later to take the ‘I’ class 1300M race in similar fashion. With Sunny Singh once again on the mount the jockey showed his class in winning the $100,000 first prize sponsored by Machinery Services and the James Singh/Chico Singh trophy. Trailing in behind were De Gump, Power Master and Clear Victory.
It was indeed a dream day for jockey Sunny Singh as he was once again in the stirrups, this time on Dream Girl of the Chico Singh stable in the Division 2& 3 1100M sprint and $80,000 compliments of Banks DIH and the Hablaw’s Meat Centre in a yet another blistering finish. Obama, President Junior and Play Boy rounded out the royal support cast.
Prize money worth close to $3million was handed out to the respective winners and the Organisers extended thanks to members of the Guyana Police Force for a job well done in curtailing the usual attempts to encroach on the track by turfites.
Meanwhile, the gate prize of one Black Berry Phone went to the holder of ticket NO 1442. The winner is asked to collect the prize from Chester Fry, at Bush Lot West Coast Berbice.

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