Trainer Victor Cheeseman stole the spotlight on the eighth day of the Barbados Turf Club’s first racing season producing three winners yesterday at the Garrison Savannah.
While Cheeseman secured those important strikes for his connections, pride of place went to the combination of owners Bill and Haley Blevins, trainer Jonathon Simpson and jockey Kenny John.
On the salute to the 2011 Champions Raceday, the trio combined with the four-year-old colt Giovedi to take the afternoon’s feature race – the Kendal Moon Trophy Handicap – for three-year-old and older horses rated 118-140 and also open to horses rated 117 and below over 1 570 metres.
Giovedi, expertly ridden by John, tracked early leader Captain Sully for most of the trip while the hot favourite Dancin David was nicely settled in third position. Little Man Arran, Sea Gypsy, Daga and Purr Class raced close while the others remained at the back.
Three furlongs out, John asked Giovedi to pick up the running and with Captain Sully fully extended, Giovedi opened up a length and a half lead on the field. It became evident two furlongs out that the Gold Cup winner Dancin David was under tremendous pressure as he plodded along at one place.
Entering the home stretch, Giovedi had few challengers and coasted home much to the delight of the connections. Daga continued to show glimpses of her old form by taking aim at the winner, but had to settle for second position under Reshaun Latchman. Dancin David, partnered by Anderson Trotman, held third spot while Captain Sully with Desmond Bryan up took fourth place.
The Cheeseman show got under way in race four – The Daga Trophy Handicap – for three-year-old and older horses rated 38-60 and also open to horses rated 37 and below over 1 800 metres. Jockey Paul Eddery gave the Ian Corbin-owned Dunwiddat an excellent ride to claim that event.
Cheeseman’s next success was an expected one as his imported colt, Luther G.Miller and Susan Miller-owned A.P. Vincero disposed of the field in the Anderson Trotman Trophy Handicap for three-year-old and older non-winners of two over 1 100 metres.
The Lewin Gooding-owned Lune De Barachois ridden by apprentice Affrie Ward, won the Anderson Ward Trophy Handicap for three-year-old and older horses rated 35-60 and also open to horses rated 34 and below over 1 100 metres to bring the day’s proceedings to an end for Cheeseman.
Lord Michael Taylor and trainer Anderson Ward had earlier combined for a double strike on the card, thus keeping the Blue Diamond Stable colours visible.
They struck with Spellbound under jockey Jonathon Grant in the Lord Michael Taylor Trophy Handicap for three-year-old and older horses claiming $5 000 over 1 000 metres.
After this it was the turn of apprentice Latchman and Must Be The Money who took the supporting feature, the Sir Charles Williams Trophy Handicap for three-year-old and older horses rated 60-85 and also open to horses rated 59 and below over 1 100 metres.
Racing continues on National Heroes Day, April 28 with the staging of the first Jewel of the Barbados Triple Crown and the Barbados Guineas over 1 570 metres.
