HAVING withdrawn their charge from the Three-Years-Old Guyana and West Indian bred one mile event, the Shariff Racing Stable entrusted the reins of Settle in Seattle into the hands of jockey Colin Ross for the feature event which catered for horses classified B and Lower, when the Kennard Memorial Turf Club hosted its annual Boxing Day meeting at their Bush Lot, Corentyne track last Wednesday.

Surely, neither Ross nor his steed disappointed, as they shocked a star-studded field that included Score’s Even, Whosoever, California Strike, Bailiff, Top of the Line and Grande Roja, completing a gate to pole victory by half-a-length over Score’s Even to take the G$1.2M top prize and the Deo Kharag Memorial trophy.
So elated was Ross with the win, that he threw his whip approximately 75 feet into the air with delight, as he passed the grand stand and observation paddock, while many horse racing fans stood with their hands in their head, knowing that a major upset had just occurred on the track.
Prior to the race, Settle in Seattle was touted as one of the better all-round animals around with the ability to sprint and cover the longer distances and he did not disappoint, as he left  the starters’ gate early and opened a sizable lead heading to the back stretch.
Taking a rest down the back stretch the other animals were able to catch up and there was a bunch as they approached the penultimate turn, with Whosoever gaining ground as they approached the penultimate turn.
At this stage, Settle in Seattle called for more reins from Ross and positively, the jockey responded to take his charge home by a neck from Score’s Even who made a late dash for the pole, Grande Roja and California Strike.
Home Bush Baby of the Jumbo Jet stable with Junior Sookhan in the saddle was in winners’ row as it sprinted home to win the D3 and Lower 6F event worth $500 000 and trophy, from Traditional Man, Dubai Duchess and Reina Del Café.
Sleeping in Town was merciless, continuing its winning ways as it awoke early to dish out a gate-to-pole beating on its opponent in The G class 7F encounter.  
The animal hardly broke a sweat in the biggest margin of victory as Jockey Randolph Solomon guided it home for the $320 000 top money and Carib Beer trophy, ahead of Face the Fire, Prado’s Gold and Damascus Dream.
Silent Lizzy, owned and trained by Colin Elcock and piloted by Rupert Ramnauth, caused a uproar when it eased away from the pack to take top honours in the Three-Years-Old Guyana and West Indies-bred one-mile event from Rosetta and Red Cloud.
The win was worth $300 000 and trophy. The Two-Years-Old non-winners’ 5F event for Guyana-bred horses saw Lucky Gold ridden by Prem Chandra of the Moothoo stable more that lucky as it snatched the gold worth $250 000 and trophy for its first win from Royal Passion, Piece of the Cash and Katrina.
Jockey Rupert Ramnauth guided Third World of The Quinn stable to victory and $240 000 and Digicel Trophy in the H Class event with Wicked Intention, Funny Side and Party Time rounding out the placings.  
Other winners were Princess Renuka with Ramnauth in the I3-event worth $180 000 and trophy, Speed Vision with Richmond on the perch in the J1 and Lower event worth $150 000 and trophy and Smarty Light in the J3 and Lower category with a winning take of $100 000 and trophy.
The top jockey was Rupert Ramnauth with The Shariff Stable taking care of things in the Top Trainer and Stable categories respectively, for which they were presented with accolades compliments of the Trophy Stall in Bourda Market.