“Prevention is better than cure” was the profound words of trainer Nasrudeen “Junior” Mohamed as he explained the non-appearance of his champion horse Alado on Sunday afternoon at Port Mourant race course, Berbice.
It was the first race meeting of the Port Mourant race course, and Mohamed’s undefeated colt, Alado was entered to compete in the One Mile Easter Cup feature, but he was scratched from the race.
Nasrudeen “Junior” Mohamed
Mohamed vanned Alado, Everesting, and Ice Kreem Sundae to contest the event, but decided to pull out his stable star and Everesting from the day’s finale won by Jagdeo Racing Stables’ Our Stuie, ridden by Dillon Khelawan.
Mohamed was commended by fellow trainers for prioritising the interest of Alado, and not the glory or history that he could have brought to his stable.
He explained, “Alado is a top-class colt. There are several other races for him. He was coming from some time off. I wasn’t happy with him after his victory in the President’s Cup. So I rested him.”
“There were some racing incidents on the track on Sunday, but the track wasn’t the problem,” Mohamed pointed out. “I just took preventative measures in light of his problem. Nothing else, I apologised to the promoters for Alado not competing. I must congratulate the Jagdeo family, who won the race. They are deserving of this success. They have put a lot into the sport.
“The welfare of my animals is paramount. A trainer has to consider himself lucky when he gets a good horse. I am very fortunate that his connection had the confidence in me to give me such a good horse to train for them. I know his followers were disappointed that Alado did not race. I did explain the consequences to them. They understood and agreed the interest of the animal comes first. I am thankful to their understanding.”
Regarding how soon Alado’s followers could expect him to return to competitive racing, Mohamed joked, “Well, I pulled him out to give Uncle Fazal a chance to win the race, but he came up second best in the Easter Cup. I believe Alado’s injury needs time. I will give him that.”
On future plans for Alado, Mohamed advised, “He will defend his title in the Guyana Cup. I am giving the other trainers the opportunity to share in the glory of winning the Cup races.”
In closing, Mohamed shared, “Racing is a tough sport. Contrary to belief of fellow horsemen and patrons that races are written for the ‘big’ trainers, that is not so. Followers of the sport will report that long shots prevail. The Americans’ Wood Memorial is a good example, a 49/1 outsider trained by Saffie Joseph Jr won. That’s the sport.”
