IT?WAS?an?ideal beginning to the Barbados Turf Club’s second racing season at the Garrison Savannah yesterday for champion jockey Jalon Samuel. Before a small crowd and under grey skies with a slight breeze and track conditions that were firm, Samuel booted home four winners.
Not even the late withdrawal of the two outside drawn horses from the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company Trophy condition race for three-year-olds over 1 570 metres could have detracted Samuel and Daga from the popular victory.
The Lord Michael Taylor-owned filly was nicely settled in mid-pack going around the top turn. The field was led by Nomoreginrog, Li’l Man Arran, Greeley Gone West, Justanotheropinion followed by Daga.
Going through the hill, the favourite Daga appeared trapped for racing room, and was then relegated. Jockey Samuel, then switched her to the outside to deliver their challenge.
Nomoreginrog, Justanotheropinion and Royal Spirit brought the field into the home turn with Daga still seeking room.
Mid-stretch, it became a four-horse affair with Nomoreginrog clinging to the lead while Li’l Man Arran Daga and Graeme Hill were all making rapid progress.
Once the pair of Daga and Samuel saw daylight they swept past rivals and stayed on strongly to continue her winning streak.
This now gives the Anderson Ward-trained filly five successive wins. Nomoreginrog, under jockey Anderson Trotman, took second ahead of Graeme Hill with Kenny John aboard while Li’l Man Arran, partnered by Antonio Bishop got fourth.
Daga’s win with Samuel was the icing on the cake as he had earlier rode three winners on the card. Vice-president of the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company, Francis Vanlangendonck and his wife Barbara were on hand to witness the day’s proceeding and presented the winning trophy.
Samuel started the day by scoring for Sir David Seale and trainer Liz Deane with the imported Missed Storm, which took the Midnight Lute Trophy handicap for three-year-old and older horses rated 38-60 and also open to three-year-old horses rated 37 and below over 1 800 metres.
To the delight of owners, trainers, jockeys, grooms and spectators track manager Charles Downie and his staff provided the equine athletes with a featherbed, which can almost be compared to a red carpet at the Grammy Awards.
Samuel wasted no time and was back in winner’s enclosure next race with the Blue Diamonds Stables-owned Captain Sully who continued his rich vein of form and has now won five of his last eight starts.
He took the Silver Charm Trophy handicap for three-year-old and older horses rated 78-100 and also open to three-year-old horses rated 77 and below over 1 570 metres.
Samuel’s final moment of glory came aboard Quick City for owner Mark Goodridge and trainer Eddie Belle.
This combination took the Skip Away Trophy handicap (Division B) for four-year-old and older horses rated 10-35 and also open to four-year-old horses rated 9 and below over 1 100 metres.
Gay Smith-owned Zoom proved his class with a resounding and comprehensive victory over the top rated horses once again.
Yesterday’s victory was notched up in the Lost  the Fog Trophy handicap for three-year-old and older horses rated 115-140 and also open to three-year-old horses rated 114 and below over 1 100 metres.
Expertly ridden by regular partner Antonio Bishop, Zoom stalked the pace before setting sail for the winning post in a final time of 1:05.2.
Racing moves into its second day on May 28.
Â
