Once again?owner Jerry Alleyne had to survive some anxious moments as his filly Finbar became the centre of attention after flashing past the finish line first yesterday in the feature race at the Garrison Savannah.
Finbar had to survive an objection before being declared the winner of the 11th running of the Michael Parravicino Memorial Hopeful Breeders’ Stakes and Trophy over 1 570 metres.
Having passed the line first in only her third start, she was later disqualified for failing a urine sample. Yesterday, on a good to firm track, the Ken Stanton-trained daughter of Janak out of Bailamos handed in her maiden certificate in fine fashion under jockey Rickey Walcott.
She was nicely settled behind leaders Rickoshey, Run For Your Money and Capere in the event for Barbadian-bred three-year-olds at allotted weights. At the three-furlong marker it clearly became a three-horse race as Finbar, Capere and Galaxy left the field behind.
Finbar and Capere brought the field into the homestretch with one of the favourites, Galaxy, in hot pursuit. Capere then began to fade as Galaxy under Antonio Bishop took aim at leader Finbar. Galaxy joined Finbar about 100 metres from the line but just could not go by, losing by a head in the driving finish.
Capere, piloted by Jalon Samuel, held on for third place, while Mrs B under jockey Kenny John closed rapidly to take fourth.
The day’s other supporting feature went to Vapour Trail under stable rider Antonio Whitehall. The Sir Charles Williams-owned and Andrew Nunes-trained filly was extremely impressive. She patiently put away her five opponents in the Realtors Limited Trophy Condition Race over 1 100 metres for imported non-West Indian-bred three-year-old maidens and West Indian bred three-year-old winners.
She was allowed to settle behind early leaders Verkauf and Iamsogroovy ridden by Anderson Trotman before apprentice Whitehall, who starred on the day with three winners, decided enough is enough. Iamsogroovy was second, Wild Fire with jockey Antonio Bishop came in third and Serenity Storm with Antonio Perch in the saddle finished fourth.
Whitehall had won Race 2, the Foster House Luxury Villa Trophy Handicap for West Indian-bred three-year-old maidens over 1 100 for his stable, Kendal, with their gelding Oxford Street.
His final winner came aboard colt Shared Adventure, who ferociously turned away his more experienced competitors in the Condominium At Palm Beach Trophy Handicap for three-year-old and older horses rated 75-100 over 1 100 metres.
The Boston John-trained horse moved his record to three wins from six starts.
Owners Gay Smith and Lord Michael Taylor both saw their respective charges record two wins each, the combination of Smith, trainer Edward Walcott and jockey Antonio Bishop struck gold on the day with Erados and Meteorite at the long odds of 15 to one and 12 to one.
For the Blue Diamond Stable, trainer Ward won with Royal Spirit under Kyle Carter and Spellbound with Reshaun Latchman.
