-Annie’s Playmate takes G$1m feature race
FROM the time jockey Paul Delph took his charge Liana from the back of the pack to win the first race, to the final race which saw champion jockey Rupert Premnauth doing the same with Lady of My Dreams with 50 metres to go in the final meet, it was all upsets when the Kennard Memorial Turf Club (KMTC) held its 37th Annual Boxing Day meet at their Bush Lot, Corentyne venue on Saturday.

No holding back here as jockey Anil Sukhu takes his charge Foolish Pleasure across the finish line ahead of Beyonce whose jockey Mark Vossie is calling on her for more speed, a little too late (Photos by Calvin Roberts)

But the biggest of all came in the third of four feature races that was carded for the day, when Yhap Drepaul took Annie’s Playmate to the front with just under 200 meters to the pole, to take the Kharag’s Family sponsored G$1m first prize, to set tongues wagging and leaving all and sundry in a state of shock.

The day was conducive enough for horse racing at one of the oldest tracks on the East Coast of Berbice and no doubt, the jockeys and horses give the thousands who turned out to support the last meet of the year, their money’s worth with their performances.

But it was Premnauth and his charge Annie’s Playmate who set the tongues wagging long after the race was ran and adjudged a fair one by the stewards on hand.

Sitting comfortably in the pack from the word go in the one mile event, Premnauth watched as Irish Gel ridden by the apprentice jockey in 14 year old Kumar Singh led from the start and being chased down by Miss Republic, Sir Balajie and The Message who seemed reluctant to compete, as he refused to enter the gates.

As the eight horse field took the second turn, Sir Balajie who was being ridden by young Mark Vossie, made a move to second place and was followed by The Message and Miss Republic, while Premnauth chose to sit in the back with Annie’s Playmate, biding his time to make his own move.

Magistrate Chandra Sohan (left) is a composed figure as he collects the Deo Kharag Memorial Trophy and G$1m to go with it, after his horse Annie’s Playmate which was ridden by jockey Yhap Drepaul (yellow top), won the main feature race at the Kennard Memorial Turf Club (KMTC) annual Boxing Day Meeting last Sunday.

On the turn for home, everyone thought Irish Gel was a clear winner, as she led by two horse lengths over the chasing pack, but suddenly, with just under 200 meters to go, Drepaul called on Annie’s Playmate and she responded to the feel of the whip on her hind legs.

The rest as they say is history, Annie’s Playmate took the race and made her owner Magistrate Chandra Sohan, who later told Chronicle Sport that she was not in the best of condition prior to the race but the trainer believed in her, G$1m richer.

Irish Gel, Miss Republic who was ridden by Daniel Floris and The Message who carried the weight of Delph for that race, occupied the other top three positions, with Great Memories, Jumbo Joy, Miss Orient and Sir Balajie completing the field.

In the other three feature races which were sponsored by Digicel, Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL), through its El Dorado brand rum, and General Equipment and Farm Supplies, Zionata, Finishing Touch and Fresh Prospect all recorded respective victories in those races.

Delph started things rolling for the Bharat stables, when he piloted Liana to a come from behind victory, but not before staving off a strong challenge from Sun Razor in a race which saw both Delph and Floris who was in the mount of Sun Razor, being placed before the race stewards for an enquiry after the finish.

Race two, the first feature event of the day, saw Fresh Prospect who was piloted by Rupert Ramnauth, surging to front from the back of the pack which was being led by Pegasus Rising who was being guided by Delph, to take a comfortable four lengths victory over the rest of the field.

Fresh Prospect, race favourite Matarazzi and Face the Music all completed the top four positions, with Pegasus Rising who took the lead from the word go, finding it difficult to get within the prize money range, as he finished a distant sixth.

The battle for supremacy continued in the next two races, with Zionata staving off a strong challenge from Jen’s Pride and Miss Bounty and Stormy Water to take that event, while Clear Victory created another upset over Casino Royal, Power Master and Strike de Fire, with Channel Boy who was favored to take same, finding it difficult to keep up with the front runners.

A fantastic ride by Anil Sukhu who was astride Foolish Pleasure, ensured Beyonce that was ridden by Vossie, Silver Kid and Sporting Time watched his horse’s tail as he guided her to a comfortable victory, while a tough battle ensued in the penultimate race of the day.

The distance was one mile and all the competitors chose to stay together as they approached the second turn after passing the main stand.

Prospector’s Pride who was piloted by Prem Chandra, then took over the lead, leading the 10 horse field into the back straights, but his lead was short lived, as Singh, who is arguably the best young jockey in the country, took Finishing Touch to the front on the back turn and from there guided her home by a neck over Star Streak who made a late move from the back of the field.

The final race of the day which was sent off in near darkness, saw Lady of my Dreams who was piloted by Ramnauth, waiting her time at the back and with 50 meters to go, made a move that left the others in its wake.

Jumbo Jets Stables’, which was later declared the champion stable, Top of the Line, Stylish Line and Miracle Run ,who like Lady of my Dreams is owned by Colin Ellcock, completed the top four of the final race on a day which left horse racing fans appetites wet.

But amidst all the excitement and drama, the day belonged to Annie’s Playmate, her jockey Yhap Drepaul and owner Magistrate Chandra Sohan.