Fans can expect the thrills and joys associated with the Yuletide season to spill over at the Garrison Savannah on Boxing Day, the fifth and final day of the Barbados Turf Club’s third racing season.
Action on the ten-race DiamondsInternational/Mont Blanc and Victor Chandler Race Day card is set to run off from noon.
In recent years several yearly championship titles were foregone conclusions, but on Monday Santa will have to wait until the end of the day to decide who will be third season champions in three categories: trainers, jockey and grooms.
One attention grabber will be the Diamonds International/Mont Blanc Challenge Series Stakes & Trophy (Gr.1R.-Bar) for West Indian-bred two-year-olds over 1 570 metres.
The Lord Michael Taylor-owned Dipitinmoney (118 pounds) has rattled off consecutive victories at this distance and now seeks a hat-trick.
Neville Isdell-owned Roars (123), who was second on both occasions behind Dipitinmoney, once again looks like the main threat.
Angela Simpson-owned Something Happenin’ (118) not only made it happen in the Oba Dove Handicap over 1 100 metres but was rather comfortable in getting the victory and further improvement is expected.
Mark Armstrong’s colt Aston Martin (126) was a tad disappointing when he finished third in his first attempt at this trip.
He will need to find plenty if he intends to change the previous results, but he remains a strong contender.
Xavier Blanche’s filly Right Move (118) was very impressive in her only outing. She should be closely monitored as further improvement is expected.
Race 8, the Diamonds International Crown Of Light Handicap for three-year-old and older horses rated 68-90 and also open to horses rated 67 and below over 1 800 metres, promises to be a very intriguing affair.
Sir David Seale’s colt Reward Me takes 130 pounds. His form has been nothing but ordinary and he returns to racing from a slight operation and will need some time.
Dance The Distance, owned by the estate of Major R.A. Stoute, was an impressive winner of the Diamonds International Mont Blanc Twinfly Handicap over 1 570 metres last race day. Now two pounds lighter he will relish the extra ground and should be a factor once more.
The Luther G. Miller and Susan Miller-owned Greely Gone West (126) has hit a rich vein of form and added a commendable second-place finish in the Diamonds International / MontBlanc Villeret Handicap to his victory over the top-rated horses, both races at 1 100 metres.
This race will be his fourth in succession and his first attempt at this distance. While it doesn’t look a tough assignment, he might just be getting leg weary.
Last year’s Derby winner, the Melrose Racing-owned Leave It To Me, will want to rekindle some of the form that led to her Derby success.
Handicapped at 126 pounds she’s one of the few out and out stayers in the suspect field.
