The Message delivers telling blow at Ryan Crawford race meet to land feature event, Shariff Stable takes top honours ahead of Elcock

Nov 08, 2011 Sports

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By Samuel Whyte
The Message ridden by Yap Drepaul of the Colin Elcock stable, returned to the winning enclosure with a telling victory in the feature B class event, when the Ryan Crawford Memorial Turf Club and Sports facility in collaboration with Banks DIH successfully held their one day Champion of Champions horserace meet last Sunday at the Club’s Alness entity.
The nine horses fielded were packed with top runners with Night Crescendo, Jet Set Go followed by Zelik leading the way as the race got going.
Down the back stretch the race was going at a searing pace as the animals picked up speed. The field by then was well stretch with the Message tucked away in the pack.
Jet Set Go by then was going like a jet plane down the back stretch as it set a blistering gallop and opened a five length lead. By the far turn the other animals were starting to creep up with The Message being edged on by Drepaul getting stronger with every stride as the other horses all moved in for the kill.  Half way down the homestretch Get Set Go had started to wilt and the Message known for its strong finishes and skillfully ridden by Drepaul, moved away from the pack to take the coveted $1M top prize and trophy compliments of Banks DIH Limited in the 1700M event ahead of Grande De Roja with the Jamaican Andron Findley on its back and Night Crescendo with Rupert Ramnauth as Jet Set Go held on for fourth to taste defeat for the first time.
There was some controversy in the co-feature 3yr old 1400M event, which was another hotly contested race with all the top three year old horses in contention.
The race saw Captain Crook of the Jumbo Jet stable with Findley on the Perch and Swing East of the Sheriff stable with another Jamaican, Brian Blake, in the saddles crossing the line in a virtual dead heat in a very close and intensely contested event.
The two animals battled for most of the race as they exchanged the lead constantly with Swing Easy getting the better of the early exchange. Swing Easy swung out in front as the animals headed for home; however Captain Crook still had a few tricks up its sleeve and did not give up as it came back with a surge as the animals crossed the line almost together. However the judges gave the benefit of the doubt to Captain Crook.
Better Than Gold came in third to be beaten for the first time after 11 starts as Work Force ended fourth. The win was worth $400,000.
The Shariff Connections and many Turfites were not happy and the event only emphasized the need for photo finish equipment.
Dubai Duchess of the Sheriff Stable with Blake again in control enjoyed a good start to blister the field and win the F class event for the $400,000 first prize and the Dr Dwight Walrond Trophy from Got to Go, Delmur Gold and Face the Music in the F class 1400M race.
Jockey Nascimento rode Something Stylish of the Customs Racing stable in style to win the event for Guyana and West Indies Two year old horses over 1200M and capture the $320,000 winners’ money and trophy from Rock Sonna, Princess Kiara and Feel the Gold.
Damascus Dream with Blake again the rider made sure that became reality as it chalked up another win for the Shariff stable in the G class 1600M event to win the $300,000 top prize ahead of Top of the Line, Miracle run and Celebration Time.
Watch My Shadow of the Elcock stable with Drepaul on its back made sure the others did just that as it romped away with an easy win in the Two Year old Guyana Bred maiden 1100M event for the $250,000 winner’s money compliments of Sankar Auto Sales and Valvoline Instant Oil. Bad Romance was second.
Royal Champion owned trained and ridden by Rupert Ramnauth rode like a champion as it returned to royalty in the H class event to whip a top class field. For its win the animal rode away with the $200,000 winner’s money ahead of Prospectors Pride, Funny Sided and De Gump.
The Crawford stable won the ‘I’ class 1400M event when Savion ridden by Winston Apadhu romped to victory and claimed the $160,000 first prize and trophy from Funny Sided, De Gump and Try Again.
Lucky Gamble ridden by Prem Chandra won the JKL 1200M event and the $100,000 and trophy from Silver Kid and Simba
Champion Jockey Yap Drepaul continues his merry run as he was again crowned champion rider ahead of Brian Blake of the Sheriff stable.
The Sheriff Stable made sure that it took control to end with the champion stable accolade ahead of the Elcock stable.
Trainers Glendon Sooklall and Zaire Shariff of the Shariff stable were the top trainers. They all received trophies compliments of the Trophy Stall, Bourda Market and the organizers.
Over 80 horses took part in the day’s proceedings which had prize monies totaling over $7M.

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