Marathon Man wins feature at Port Mourant

Dec 14, 2010 Sports

Business Development manager of Digicel Gavin Hope (right) presents the winning trophy to Savian's connections Celso Crawford following the win.

Crawford, Jagdeo and Jumbo Jet stables put on outstanding performances

By Samuel Whyte

Marathon Man out of the Jumbo Jet stables produced a mesmerizing turn of speed to create a major upset and capture the feature ‘B’ class event when the Port Mourant Turf Club staged its Grand annual Pre Christmas one-day Horse Race Meeting on Sunday, at the Club’s Headquarters, Corentyne, Berbice.
A brilliant and skillful piece of riding by veteran jockey Rupert Ramnauth on board Marathon Man helped break the jinx that was enough to secure the win worth $500,000 compliments of Banks DIH and the Water Chris Trophy.
The triumph by Marathon Man ended a long run of victories for horses from the Crawford and Elcock stables in the feature event over1300M event. .
The early running was done by Night Crescendo of the Crawford Stable with Yap “old boy” Drepaul in the stirrups and Prince Charming of the Elcock stables ridden by Jamaican Andron Findley as the horses set out on their sojourn.
However, as the race progressed it was Prince Charming who led the pack by about two lengths coming out of the far turn.
All this time, Marathon Man was sitting pretty in the bunch close marking the front runners and as they hit the straights for home, Ramnauth decided to call on his charge and with the front runners using up tremendous energy already, Marathon Man made its move on the inside going on to hold off a fast finishing Night Crescendo, while Miss Orientate also of the Crawford Stables coming through for third with Prince Charming fading to fourth.
Sabrina Princess of the Kris Jagdeo Stable ridden by Yap Drepaul dished out another royal like performance to take care of business and maintain its winning streak in the co-feature for three years old horses born and bred in Guyana and West Indies.
Got To Go and Peaceful did most of the early running as the horses set off in their quest for the $400,000 first prize and the Arch Way Snackette trophy over 1700M.
As they approached the far turn just before they headed into the home stretch, Peaceful seemed to have the edge, but that was before the impressive Sabrina’s Princess started to make its move.
With Drepaul asking for more, Sabrina Princess surged to the front inside the final furlong to win easily with a fast finishing Got To Go catching Peaceful just on the line that the new technology the photo finish camera declared a tie.
Celebration time ended fourth. Night Crescendo with Drepaul on its back and running out of the Crawford’s stable started the day on a winning note, running away from its opponents in the D class over 1000M that was sponsored by Republic Bank that had a first prize of $300,000.
In second place was the newly imported Gullium of the Jagdeo stables, with Laura lee In Flight and Mamzelle rounding out the money.
Gullium carried the race for most of the distance, before Night Crescendo surged to front for the win.
The two year old event for Guyana and West Indies Horse saw Better than Gold of the Jagdeo Stable continue its unbeaten run since arriving in Guyana with another easy win. Ridden by Jamaican jockey Andron Findley, the animal hardly worked up a sweat as it ran away with the $300,000 top prize and the Chattergoon trophy in the 1200M event. Big Impact made little impact as it finished ahead of Irish Girl for second and third places respectively.
The very competitive F class match-up saw Top of the Line of The Jumbo Jet stable with Mark Vassy in control dishing out a top class performance with a perfect home run to take away the $240,000 winnings and trophy compliments of Tony’s Auto sale and Crown Spot Lemonade.
The 1300M race was one of the most competitive of the day card with Fresh Prospect, Miracle Run and Sir Balajie having to contend with the other placings.
Super Cat of the Rommel Jagmohan stable with Navin on the Perch proved superior as it took top honours in the second two year old event this time for Guyana bred horses over 1000M.
The win was worth $160,000 and the Bobby Variety Store trophy. Royal Salute, Princess Renuka and Nordan Junior were the others that placed.
Spread the News of the Leary Robinson stable continues to spread good tidings for the connections with another crushing win to take pole position in the race for horses classified I and lower over 1300M.
Ridden by Ramnauth it took home the $150,000 and the Buddies Trophy. In a tight bunch Dream Girl, Mona Lisa and Funny Side rounded out the money.
The Digicel Sponsored race for I3 Maiden and J class horses, which was a 1000M affair, saw Savian ridden by Appadu securing a second win for the Crawford stables when it cart off the $120,000 stakes and Digicel trophy. Miracle Silver, Extra Heat and Bounty Flyer had their wings clipped.
The top performers were expected to receive trophies compliments of Ramesh Sunich of The Trophy stall Bourda Market. The top horse on show was Night Crescendo of the Crawford stable with a first and second place.
The bumper crowd on hand saw close to eighty horses taking part in the day’s proceedings and over $4M in cash and prizes distributed.