Queen’s Plate runs off Saturday

SATURDAY’S racing at the Garrison Savannah runs into the sixth day with the Queen’s Plate race day, as the Barbados Turf Club’s second season rolls on. The eight-race card is scheduled for a 1:45 p.m. start, and features the Queen’s Plate Handicap going 1 800 metres for three-year-olds and older horses rated 0-120. A field of ten runners is down to face the starter, with principals Apostle carrying 130 pounds, while Preach To Me and Rocamadour are both handicapped at 128 pounds.The fourth race, the Dunfermline Handicap going 1 800 metres for three-year-olds and older rated 0-75, looks a very interesting affair, with the Lisa Wheeler-owned Gold Digger carrying the top weight of 130 pounds. The Stephen Bynoe-trained Reward Me takes 121 pounds, and will be making a second attempt at this distance, while bidding to turn in his maiden certificate. His best effort to date was a second placed finish in the Kirov Lady Handicap over 1 800 metres. Of the others, Aysha Syndicate’s Just Jiving carries 127 pounds. His last success was on January 2 over three-year-olds and older rated 43-65 going 1570 metres. This gelding has been second twice from six starts since that victory, and has very strong claims. Deal Or No Deal also takes 127 pounds. The Saffie Joseph Jnr-owned and trained five-year-old mare recorded back-to-back victories on March 6 against four-year-olds and older rated 38-60 over 1 570 metres, and on March 27 also against four-year-olds and older rated 48-70 over 1 800 metres respectively. She is the only natural speedster in the race, and this should weigh heavily in her favour.The Roger Parravicino-trained Ned Kelly carries 120 pounds. His lone victory was back in November 2009, against three-year-olds and older rated 38-60 going 1 800 metres. The has only been moderate in five other attempts at this trip.  Pure speedRace No. 5 is the Coronation Sprint Stakes and Trophy Conditions race for West Indian-bred three-year-olds going 1 100 metres. Speed is the name of the game here, with seven of the eight entered tasting success already.Lord Michael Taylor’s Rush Cutter takes the top impost of 130 pounds, and was one of the top two-year-olds last year, rattling off three Stakes victories before suffering a setback. He returned from a five-month layoff, with a smooth victory in the Alto Jane Handicap for West Indian-bred three-year-old winners going 1 100 metres. Much will be expected of him.Stablemate Spellbound with 125 pounds is a speed merchant and with a record of five victories from nine starts, will take some catching. The John D. Chandler-owned Prince Of Groves takes 130 pounds, after failing to hold off Rush Cutter two starts back, but could make it hot up front.