Massy United Insurance Company Limited Raceday, the seventh day of the Barbados Turf Club’s (BTC)?second racing season will be an exemplary one for many as it heralds the 75th edition of the Derby which coincides with 30 unbroken years of sponsorship by Massy United Insurance.
Up for grabs next Saturday at the Garrison Savannah, in this 2 000 metres grade I Massy United Insurance Barbados Derby, the third jewel of the Barbados Triple Crown, will be the glittering cup and the huge sum of $132 600.
The nine-race card, which is scheduled to run off at 12:30, offers eight other races thaty will bring the day’s total for the 98 horses competing on the course to $235 600.
No one will be sweating more than owner and trainer John D. Chandler as he will wait with bated breath to see if his colt, Noble Intent, can acquire for him his highest paid raceday in his tenure with this sport.
If he wins the Derby he will walk away with the first prize of just over $70 000 plus a $100 000 bonus donated by the Barbados Thoroughbred Breeders Association for capturing all three jewels.
Immediately following the running of the sixth race, Chandler’s wait will be put off by another hour as fans will be treated to a cultural presentation in the form of a parade around the entire Savannah by a cast of entertainers put together by the sponsors Massy United Insurance Company.
The cast will be spearheaded by the world renowned Royal Barbados Police Force Band, which is celebrating 120 years and includes the likes of the Barbados Defence Force and Cadet bands as well as some of the hottest calypsonians for this year. The kids won’t be left out as they will be kept busy in the Kids Zone, which includes jumping tents.
Race five, the T. A. Tommy Peirce Memorial Trophy Condition Race is the perfect precursor to the Derby. Giovedi which has cast a new dynamic lease on his career, shoulders 130 pounds. In his two wins he left his opposition a combined 17 lengths adrift.
In the gates he will feel the pressure of a thirsty young gun in the form of Daunting David taking 110 pounds. Apart from the step up in class, he is seeking to make it three wins on the trot.
Discretwon a fast finishing fifth in this year’s Gold Cup, makes his first appearance since that race and will have a point to prove. Last year’s Derby winner Knight Rider will want to snap the drought that has engulfed his stable and record his first win of the year.
If Halle Rose’s 12 ¾ victory in his only start over 1 000 metres is a true indication of what’s to come then he will be the day’s easiest winner in the opening Massy United Insurance Staff Trophy Condition Race for West Indian bred two-year-old non-winners of two races.
Favourite Cat and Super Heights could be the ones left to trace the trail.
Fans will be keen to see the performance of last raceday’s impressive winner in Sarava Point which has been assigned 126 pounds in race three – Massy United Insurance Regional Trophy Handicap over 1 570 metres for three-years-and-older horses rated 80-62 and open to horses rated 61 and below. Top impost of 128 pounds is given to High Tide.
