Winning the event named in his honour was an extra bonus for champion trainer Victor Cheeseman at the Garrison Savannah yesterday. Jockey Kyle Carter made sure of that.
Carter not only won the Victor Cheeseman Trophy Handicap over 1 800 metres with the favourite Sirius Black, but had earlier started the Salute to the 2013 Champions Raceday on a winning note with Voldemort, also trained by Cheeseman.
He used soft silky hands to guide home the David Bynoe-owned gelding in the race for three-year-old and older horses rated 82-100 and also open to horses rated 81 and below.
Sirius Black, who is the son of Janak out of Annabel Jane and a full brother to Voldemort, was put to the lead where he was never headed at any stage.
Captain Sully raced across to join Sirius Black briefly contesting the lead.
Little Man Arran, Janak Gold and Island Memories all raced into close contention, but no sooner had the half mile been completed in a reasonable 53:2 seconds, positions changed slightly as Captain Sully lost some ground, while Little Man Arran was relegated towards the back.
Graeme Hill moved into a challenging position confronting the leader Sirius Black who remained in control on the good to firm track, having done the six furlongs in 1:20.1.
At the mile marker the race really unfolded, as Janak’s Gold and Island Memories had run themselves into strong positions.
Held centre stage
Into the homestretch, Sirius Black held centre stage while Captain Sully came with another resurgent effort, joined by Janak’s Gold, Island Memories and Indian Officer.
Inside the last 60 metres Sirius Black drifted off the rails out to his left as Carter asked him for everything.
Captain Sully, ridden by Antonio Perch fought on gamely but had to settle for the second place, while Janak’s Gold, under the urging of Jonathon Grant, ran a most encouraging race to take third. Indian Officer came home fourth best with apprentice Jarelle Beckles in the stirrups.
The Cheeseman and Carter combination secured a second win in succession for Bills Incorporated with their gelding Voldemort, who sailed to a five-and-a half-length victory in the Kariba Rose Trophy Condition Race over 1 100 metres.
That event was for non West Indian-bred three-year-old maidens at the time of entry and also open to West Indian-bred three-year-old non winners.
Jockey Jason Leacock produce a peach of a ride to cop the Bubba’s Sunday buffet breakfast Ride Of The Day astride Deborah Sampson-owned Tapits Code. The grey colt won the Anderson Trotman Trophy Handicap over 1 570 metres for four-year-old and older maidens.
It was one of two wins for trainer Liz Deane who had earlier scored with Golden Moment-owned by David Seale; having won the Sir Charles Williams Trophy Handicap over 1 100 metres for three-year-old and older horses rated 50-70 (at time of entry).
