Island Memories splashed home to win the 13th running of the William “Bill” Marshall DCF SCM Memorial Two-Year-Old Creole Classic Stakes and Trophy over 1 570 metres in grand style at the Garrison Savannah yesterday.
The Lord Michael Taylor-owned colt was given a waiting ride by Renaldo Cumberbatch.
Vitality, with Jalon Samuel in the saddle, ran a very courageous race to take second, while Lune De Barachois with Affrie Ward stayed on for third place. Areuserious (Kyle Carter) came from a long way back to take fourth.
As the field left the gate Vitality took up the running from Never Turn Right, Istanbul, Lune De Barachois, Par-tic-u-lar, Sweet Bottom Suzy, Victoria Belle, Island Memories, Areuserious and Angelic Peace.
Down the back stretch, the order changed slightly with Lune De Barachois moving into striking position followed by Island Memories.
Vitality was then challenged by stablemate Istanbul, who fell at this point. Island Memories seized the opportunity to sweep on by for the victory.
It was only fitting that trainer Anderson Ward’s horses ran first and second and surely might have gotten third had Istanbul not gone down.
“Winning this race meant a lot to me. Trainer Marshall was my trainer for over 20 years and I wanted to win it for Lord Michael Taylor and Mr Marshall especially,” trainer Ward said.
“The horses were all training well and I was hoping for a little rain.
It was unfortunate that Istanbul clipped heels with Vitality, but he also ran well and I’m very pleased with the results.
“My horses’ bloodlines are telling me that they are sprinter stayers and I’m looking forward to great things from them.”
When asked what he had learnt as a jockey from trainer Marshall that he can use as a trainer, Ward simply replied: “Patience, just patience.”
Winning rider Renaldo Cumberbatch told SUNSPORT: “It’s a very nice feeling to win this race, especially since I haven’t won one for a little while. My horse wanted to go and he handled the conditions excellently. Every time I asked him for an effort, he was ready to go.”
As it looked on the card, the Coo Bird Handicap For Three-Year-Old And Older Horses Rated 0-90 Over 1 570 Metres lived up to expectations as Lord Michael Taylor’s gelding Don Portalsonny, with Jalon Samuel aboard, gained a hard-fought victory, stopping the clock in one minute, 49 4/5 seconds on the soft track.
Wash Brook seemed intent on doing all the running. However, No Spin Zone and Bram Stoker also went to contest the early lead, while Don Portalsonny and Ring Time were waiting at the rear of the field.
As the leading trio began to fade at the three-furlong marker, Samuel asked Don Portalsonny for more, jockey Kenny John launched his attack with Ring Time and Bram Stoker was trying to maintain position.
Entering the homestretch turn, it was Don Portalsonny by three quarters of a length.
The third season will continue on December 4.
HOW THEY RAN YESTERDAY:
Race 1: The Blast Of Storm Handicap: For West Indian-bred two-year-old horses.
About 1 100 metres.
1. Rush Cutter – 129 – Jalon Samuel
2. Surinan – 117 – Anderson Trotman
3. Golden Moment – 112 – Kyle Carter
4. Fedrica – 108 – Jonathan Grant
5. Prince Of Groves – 121 – Jason Leacock
6. Spell Bound – 117 – Renaldo Cumberbatch
Time: 1.13.2.
Distances: 4 3/4; 1 1/2; 5 1/2; 5; 18 1/4.
Owner: Lord Michael Taylor
Trainer: Anderson Ward
Pari-Win: $2.25; Places: $1.50; $1.85.
Forecast: $7.55; Trifecta: $5.10.
Race: 2. The Tinker’s Image Handicap: For three-year-olds and Over Rated 00 to 60 and West Indian-bred four-year-olds and over maidens. About 1 570 metres.
1. Victor Ludorum – 124 – Jalon Samuel
2. Grand Slam – 128 – Anderson Trotman
3. Sweet Harmony – 127 – Kenny John
4. Double Dagger – 122 – Jamar Croney
5. Deal or Nodeal – 125 – Kyle Carter
Time: 1.50.1.
Distances: 4 1/2; 3 1/4; 3/4; 10 1/2.
Owner: Philip Batson
Trainer: Philip Batson
Pari-Win: $3.00; Places: $1.20; $2.50.
Forecast: $6.40; Trifecta: $34.10.
Race: 3. The Thady Quill Handicap: For three-year-olds and over rated 00 to 70. About 1 100 metres.
1. Johnny Sad Boy – 113 – Anthony Perch
2. Zaltarr – 117 – Antonio Bishop
3. Between The Sheiks – 113 – Kenny John
4. Inforthefun – 119 – Kyle Cater
5. Bond Street – 123 – Anderson Trotman
6. Silk N” Satin – 126 – Affrie Ward
7. Quick City – 126 – Wesley Cave
8. Words of The Wise – 119 – Jalon Samuel
Time: 1.13.3.
Distances: 1/2; 6 1/2; Shd; 1; 3/4; 2; 2 1/4.
Owner: Stephen Kellman
Trainer: Hayden Nicholls
Pari-Win: $4.80; Places: $1.05; $1.75; $3.90.
Forecast: $21.10; Trifecta: $177.10.
Race: 4. The Don Juan Handicap: For West Indian three-year-olds non-winners of two races. About 1 800 metres.
1. Sea Gypsy – 123 – Kenny John
2. Up The Ante – 120 – Kyle Carter
3. Heavenly Angle – 117 – Antonio Bishop
4. Conquest – 118 – Lanan Lulung
5. Island Lad – 120 – Jalon Samuel
6. Dakdada – 113 – Anthony Perch
Time: 2.09.2.
Distances: 5 1/2; 10 1/4; Shd; 11; 8 1/4.
Owner: Diana Jones
Trainer: Chally Jones
Pari-Win: $3.65; Places: $1.75; $2.05.
Forecast: $24.75; Trifecta: $87.60.
Race 5: The Coo Bird Handicap:
For three-year-olds and Over Rated 00 to 90. About 1 570 metres.
1. Don Portalsonny – 124 – Jalon Samuel
2. Ring Time – 120 – Kenny John
3. Bram Stoker – 123 – Affrie Ward
4. Grace Chapel – 123 – Anderson Trotman
5. Local Speed – 115 – Jonathan Grant
6. Bloumberg – 120 – Anthony Perch
7. Wash Brook – 119 – Rico Maynard
8. Reward Me – 120 – Renaldo Cumberbatch
9. Uncle Jerry – 114 – Kyle Carter
10. No Spin Zone – 116 – Jamar Croney
Time: 1.49.4.
Distances: 3/4; 3/4; 9 1/4; Nk; 1 3/4; 2; 2 3/4; 4; Shd.
Owner: Lord Michael Taylor
Trainer: Anderson Ward
Pari-Win: $5.50; Places: $2.70; $3.15; $3.20.
Forecast: $58.80; Superfecta: $1 935.40.
Race 6: The Alto Jane Handicap:
For three-year-olds and over rated 00 to 50. About 1 570 metres.
1. Horizon – 125 – Antonio Bishop
2. Ned Kelly – 128 – Kenny John
3. Dancebak – 124 – Keveh Nicholls
4. Summer Star – 115 – Anderson Trotman
5. Sylvia Helen – 113 – Anthony Perch
6. Moon Stone – 115 – Jalon Samuel
7. Gin For Me – 115 – Kyle Carter
8. Atomic Bomb – 121 – Affrie Ward
9. Jamaica Moon – 120 – Jamar Croney
10. St. Nicolas Bay – 125 – Renaldo Cumberbatch
Time: 1.51.4.
Distances: 3/4; Nk; 2 1/4; Nk; 4 1/4; Hd; 1; 1; 12 1/2.
Owner: Gay Smith
Trainer: Edward Walcott
Pari-Win: $23.25; Places: $5.40; $2.60; $2.75.
Forecast: $117.10; Trifecta: $569.90.
Race 7: The William “Bill” Marshall DFC SCM Memorial two years Creole Classic Stakes and Trophy: For two-year-olds. About 1 570 metres.
1. Island Memories – 126 – Renaldo Cumberbatch
2. Vitality – 126 – Jalon Samuel
3. Lune De Barachois – 121 – Affrie Ward
4. Areuserious – 121 – Kyle Carter
5. Victoria Belle – 121 – Jonathan Grant
6. Par-Tic-U-Lar – 121 – Anthony Perch
7. Angelic Peace – 121 – Antonio Bishop
8. Sweet Bottom Suzy – 121 – Jason Leacock
9. Nile Queen – 121 – Anderson Trotman
10. Never Turn Right – 124 – Keveh Nicholls
11. Istanbul – 126 – Kenny John (Jockey Fell)
Time: 1.53.
Distances: 2 3/4; 5 1/2; 3 1/2; 15 1/4; 1/2; 6; 2 1/4; 1 1/4; D.
Owner: Lord Michael Taylor
Trainer: Anderson Ward
Pari-Win: $4.45; Places: $2.15; $2.10; $1.65.
Forecast: $27.65; Superfecta: $1 181.70.
Race 8: The Aba Dove Handicap: West Indian-bred three-year-old maidens. About 1 100 metres.
1. Fuh Real – 115 – Kenny John
2. Just Dance – 119 – Jalon Samuel
3. Habibti – 121 – Jason Leacock
4. Bambi – 119 – Affrie Ward
5. Savannah – 122 – Renaldo Cumberbatch
6. Russian Roulette – 130 – Keveh Nicholls
7. Lunar Bliss – 123 – Jamar Croney
8. Glistening – 117 – Antonio Bishop
9. Poor Paul – 113 – A. Clarke
10. Molotov – 123 – Anthony Perch
11. Indian Charlie – 128 – Anderson Trotman
Time: 1.16.3.
Distances: 1; 1; 6 1/2; 3/4; 3 1/4; 1 1/2; 2; 7 1/2; 2 1/2; 11.
Owner: Joanne Hearst-DeCastro
Trainer: Elizabeth Deane
Pari-Win: $4.15; Places: $1.55; $2.65; $1.20.
Forecast: $21.00; Superfecta: $987.10; Pick-Four: $1 066.95.
