ON A GOOD to firm track, front-runners dominated the Barbados Turf Club’s Fraternity Race Day at the Garrison Savannah yesterday.Four of the day’s seven races saw winners leading from start to finish, the highlight being the Lord Michael Taylor-owned four-year-old chestnut colt Show Me The Money. Expertly ridden by Reshaun Latchman, Show MeThe Money hung on for a hard-fought half-length victory in the Directors Handicap over 1800 metres.
Keen contestShow Me The Money and Walk On By keenly contested the lead from the gate, keeping each other company and opening up a three-length lead on Pure Temptation, followed by Rocamadour, Zoom, Proud Bajan and Bird Watch.The pair accelerated the pace going down the backstretch, extending their lead to seven lengths between the five and three furlong poles. Show Me The Money kicked for home and Walk On By began to feel the pressure and could no longer go with him. Rocamdour and Bird Watch had now moved into striking position as the horses approached the homestretch. Show Me The Money still had enough in the tank with a length-and-a-half lead and although Rocadmour closed relentlessly on the outside, he was still good enough to get home by a half-length. Walk On By faded but held on for third, while Proud Bajan got up for fourth.
All the runningEM & M-owned Vandross, supremely ridden by Chris Husbands [returning from injury], did all the running in the BTC Staff Handicap over 1570 metres. The five-year-old gelding had to resist challenges at the top of the straight from Uncle Jerry, Bram Stoker, Mystic Moon, Charge It and Don Portalsonny. However, Husbands kept his composure and Vandross was able to hold off rivals Uncle Jerry, second, Bram Stoker, third, while Don Portalsonny ran on at one pace for fourth. Jockey Antonio Bishop had a double with wins on Family Affair in the BTC Fans Handicap and on St Nicholas Bay in The Barbados Horseracing Owners Association Handicap, both races contested at 1 100 metres. However, the connections were made to endure some anxious moments in the Stewards’ Room after objections by second-placed finishers in each race [Whose Calling in Race 4 and Irish Thunder in Race 7]. The results remained unaltered in both instances. Boston John was the most successful trainer of the day with three winners – Tornade in Race 6, the Barbados Jockey Guild Condition Race over 1 570 metres for owner Margo Atkinson, Family Affair in Race 4 for owner Lorna Reid, and St Nicholas Bay for owner Mr Northco in the last race. The day’s other winners were Taj Mahal (Andy Trotman) for owner and trainer Andrew Nunes in the Barbados Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association Handicap over 1570 metres, and Surinan (J. Grant) for owner Joanne Hearst-DeCastro in the BTC Registered Grooms Condition Race going1000 metres.
