GUYANA’s international jockey, Colin Ross, is fresh from an overseas stint where he placed third at the Garrisons Savanah in Barbados.
Jockey Ross was pleased with his experience in Barbados where he placed third in his maiden overseas race. Returning to Guyana with more experience under his belt, Ross is hoping to deliver the goods at the upcoming CARICOM Gold Cup on July 5, at Port Mourant Turf Club.
“The experience was good. Far different than Guyana racing. When it comes to the track it is totally different. It was a good experience, I learnt a lot from that. The first race I rode I was a bit nervous but I got over it,” Ross explained.
“So far we are working towards CARICOM Cup. Rain or no rain we are working. We want to get the horses at least 95% to the upcoming races,” he added.
Ross has showed his class at various Guyana Cup, and on August 23, he will be hoping to repeat a similar dose.
“It will be a good feeling to go out there and win a fifth Guyana Cup for me. After the CARICOM Cup we will assess the horses and then prepare for the Guyana Cup, the experienced jockey said.
As it relates to the top horses in Guyana, where Ross piloted to success in the past, the animals are in good shape, according to Ross.
“So far Dataman, Stat and Anthem King are going good. So far the three horses are going very well.”
The Guyana horse-racing committee has released a provisional programme which will see 11 races on the card and more than G$15 million in cash and prizes will be up for the taking.
The CARICOM Gold Cup feature will be open to all three-year-olds and over horses going at a distance of 1900 metres. A total purse of four million will be up for grabs and the top horse will receive two million.
Other races on the programme include the CARICOM Sprint stakes open to all four-year-olds and over, CARICOM Derby open to three-year-olds Guyana bred, and the ‘E’ Class and Lower.
There is also the Rising Star stakes open to three-year-old imported horses, the three-year-olds and over WI Bred winners, ‘H’ Class and Lower WI Bred non-winners in Guyana, three-year-olds and over I/J/K Class, ‘L’ Class winners, K&L Maidens and the future star stakes two-year-old Guyana-bred juveniles.
All races will be run under the Guyana rules of racing and entries will open from June 22 and close on June 26.