THE?NINTH day of the Barbados Turf Club’s second racing season tomorrow could be a very important day in the lives of trainers Liz Deane and Roger Parravicino as both need one win each to reach significant milestones.
For Deane, victory would see her move to 500 career wins, which would be a phenomenal achievement in a male-dominated profession. Parravicino is poised to join the 200 club.
Deane will send out only two horses on the evening card – the BTC Racing Fraternity Raceday – comprising seven races, and beginning at 3 p.m.
It is a rare occurrence when a woman is among the top five trainers of all time in the country. She is second only to the late William “Bill” Marshall, who saddled 648 career winners.
What would make the landmark even more special is that it could be achieved by a horse owned by her major owner Sir David Seale – either Intrepid Dancer in Race 3 or Woman Is Boss in Race 5.
Wins number 400 and 450 came from the very same Hopefield Stable with Preach To Me.
From her first victory in 1983 with Fair Touch, only the Derby has eluded her.
Parravicino will send six runners to post as he nears his milestone and closes in on Fitz Gittens, who commands the 11th position overall in the history of Barbados racing with 202 triumphs.
Apart from the day’s feature – the Inyouvations Handicap in appreciation of the BTC Employees, over 1 100 metres for horses rated 87-110 – the BTC Members Handicap for three-year-old horses rated 80-100 and also for horses rated 79 and below over 1 800 metres, should be a cracker.
The top weight of 130 pounds goes to the imported Jakesam, who ran poorly in his only outing. The out-of-form Little Man Arran shoulders 124 pounds while the in-form Intrepid Dancer carries 110. Captain Sully and Indanger will shoulder 117 and 124 pounds respectively.
Aysha Syndicate’s Charge It is handed the top weight of 130 pounds in the BTC Owners and Trainers Handicap for three-year-old horses rated 55-75 over 1 570 metres. Competition should come from Grace Chapel, 129, Cabin Boy, 121, and the recent double winner Zaltarr, pencilled to take 121 pounds.
