The powerful legs of Storm Bird were no match for Settling Star as the horse from the Sheriff Racing Stables gave a good display of itself on Sunday to win the feature event at the Kennard Memorial Turf Club Post Phagwah horse race meet.
The race classified “E” and Lower over a distance of seven furlongs saw six animals in an even brake. All seven horses were locked together Goodwill Boy, Unsettled, Storm Bird, Settling Star, It’s My Choice, Media Day and Keep on Swinging.
As they hit the first turn, Storm Bird opened up its strides to be out of the turn first and by the time there were on the back straight, Storm Bird was leading by five lengths and continued to fire on all guns.
Settling Star won the £E£ class event to collect the Metro trophy
At the four-furlong pole Jockey, Paul Delph started to spur Goodwill Boy pushing the animal beyond expectation and then off the saddle came Jockey Richmond as Settling Star held the middle of the track around the final turn.
Three animals were trading stride for stride with Storm Bird clearly having the edge as they went past the six-furlong pole but it had done too much too early and Goodwill Boy, Unsettled, Media Day and It’s My Choice all galloped past the early leader.
The race was not decided even with five seconds left. Jockey Richmond used his experience to propel Settling Star to cross the poll in a time of one minute thirty-seven seconds (1:37); a half-length win over Goodwill Boy and Media Day. The fourth place went to It’s My Choice.
Champion Jockey Richmond receiving the Abdul Latiff trophy
The win was worth $700,000 and the Metro Computer and Computer Supplies.
Six races were carded for the day. The “L” class race for non-winners which had a top purse of $120,000 and over a distance of five furlongs was won by Jungle Prince of the Ramsaywack Stables with the second place going to Uprising ahead of Te Rock and Silky Solomon.
The “L” class open race over a distance of six furlongs with a top prize of $180,000 was won by Orian with the second place going to Massapequa Dr.
The “I” and Lower classed event saw Mischievous Maker with last year’s champion Jockey Colin Ross in charge. The second place went to Marry Ann ahead of Slim Shady.
K and Lower with a top price of $160,000 and over a distance of six furlongs was won by King Stanley and piloted by Jockey of the day Ronald Appadu. The second place went to Secret Escape, Red Region and Irish Baby in a race that saw some of the country’s fastest animals going through the starting gate.
TNT of the Nand Persaud Racing Stables led from gate to poll in the race for animals classified as “H” and Lower. The winning purse was $300,000.
The second place went to Lucy Star with Got To Go and Mid Night Blue bringing up the rear.
The champion Jockey was Richmond who received the prize from former Jockey Abdul Latiff. The champion horse was Settling Star and the top stable award going to the Sheriff Racing Stables.
Action returns to the Kennard Memorial Turf Club on May 20, for a one-day meeting.
Meanwhile, the inaugural Triple Crown will go on as planned with the second being staged at the Port Mourant Turf Club April 1 after the first leg was cancelled. The third leg is scheduled for the Rising Sun Turf Club on April 29.
