JUST Call Me Boss of the Jagdeo stable and ridden by Trinidadian Nela Mohammed ran a well calculated race to upset a star-studded field and beat off the fast-finishing favourite C.P Got Even, with some controversy in the end, to win the feature event of the Real President’s Cup horserace meet, held last Sunday at the Rising Sun Turf Club, Arima Park, West Coast Berbice. The event was organised by the Rising Sun Turf Club (RSTC) in collaboration with the Inshan Bacchus Trucking Service and friends of Rising Sun.
The large crowd which included Minister of State Joseph Harmon and Minister within the Minister of Public Infrastructure Annette Ferguson among other senior government officials witnessed a well organised and an incident-free day of racing.
The 10 animals in the feature C Class and Lower 1600m event were sent on their way on a level brake as the crowd took up ever available position. As the animals took flight Just Call Me Boss the four-year old animal imported from Trinidad showed its intentions early as it took to the front.
As the horses hit the first turn and into the back stretch, the animals were beginning to bunch up as they jostle for the lead. However, Just Call Me Boss was maintaining its position among the frontrunners as they set a merry gallop.
By then the strong finishers in C.P Got Even, Spit Fire and Jack In My Style were beginning to take orders as they start to move into position. Around the far turn, positions were changing rapidly as the animals continued their gallop on the fast track.
As they hit the straight for home Just Call Me Boss with Mohammed urging it on was still pointing them. Just about then C.P Got Even of the Elcock/Poonai stable, known as one of the best finishers in the horse-racing arena today, burst out of the pack with Jockey Michael Semple on the hunch.
As C.P began to close in on Just Call Me Boss as it looked for the pass, the animals veered into each other causing some disruption for C.P Got Even as Just Call Me Boss held on for the win ahead of CP Got Even, Three D and Spit Fire.
The Jagdeo stable took away $1.2M and the massive President’s Cup compliments of businessman Ramesh Sunich of Trophy Stall Bourda market.
Keep On Swinging, of the Jagdeo Stable with Paul Delph up, ran away with the Three-year-olds Guyana and West Indies-bred 1400m event from Settling Star and It’s My Choice for the $500 000 and trophy.
The event for four-year-old West Indies-bred and D3 and Lower winners of one race in 2015 and E and lower horses saw Plum Plum of the Shariff stable with Yap Drepaul score its first victory with a strong finish ahead of Rosetta, Captain Crook and Goodwill Boy. The win was worth $500 000 and trophy.
Appealing Harvest with Paul Ramnauth made it two wins for the Jumbo Jet stable as it won the $350 000 and trophy from Campador, Release the Beast and Cassie in the F and Lower race.
Witchipoo, of the Shariff Stable with Ross in the saddle, was again an easy winner in the event for Guyana and West Indies-bred two-year-old horses as it cantered away with the $350 000 first prize and trophy from the Girl Is Mine and Maid Of The Cat.
Goldikova again with Ross made it three wins for the Shariff stable as it defeated Cassie, Sweet Return and She So Special in the G3 and Lower 1100m event and the $300 000 and trophy.
Cat Messiah of the Ghansham Singh stable with Rad Drepaul blazed the trail for an easy win over Mary Ann and Slim Shady as it won the I and Lower 1100m race and the $260 000 and trophy.
Other winners included Red Jet in the J and Lower event and Regina of the Cheefoon stable in the K and Lower race.
Over 85 horses participated in the day’s events which had over $7.5M in cash, trophies and other incentives at stake.
The Police, led by Assistant Superintendent Guy Nurse and Sergeant Marlon O. Dhanaguhe, were commended for doing a marvellous job during the incident-free day.
Both Minister of State Harmon and Minister Ferguson congratulated and thanked the organiser on behalf of President David Granger for their foresight in organising and executing a well planned event in his Excellency’s name.
They both pledged Government’s continued support in assisting the horseracing fraternity in whatever way possible in the government’s drive to improve sports and sporting facilities across the country.