Upsets rule Santa Rosa card

Punters who followed favourites had their accounts dented and pants beaten off on Saturday at the Arima Race Club’s Day 22 card at Santa Rosa Park, Arima. The 10-race card, on which a numbers of runners were sent off at odds-on, was one of the rare occasions in local racing which proved a nightmare for supporters of the fancied runners  as neither of the market leaders visited the charmed circle. A sign was given when the day’s racing started on a sour note. From the eight runners taking entry, seven were asked to face the starter, after Harold Chadee’s Shear Magic, the lone opponent to trainer Maniram Maharaj’s outfit was declared a non-runner. From the lot, one bolted just before the start and raced back to the paddock, trimming the field down to six. The lackadaisical manner by which handlers at the gates work was evident once more. Their inability to load horses quickly, or to deal with fractious and inexperienced runners saw another two runners taken out.

Their withdrawal was at a cost to the race club, which not only lost face but needed revenue which were eventually refunded to punters who had bet on the scratched runners. The race lacked interest thereafter. The second event saw the unraced Mutola and Cash Reward heading the betting, but both were seen off by the consistent Bob’s Treasure, who won with something to spare. Gold Conveyor, was backed into favouritism after his convincing win over a similar Starter Allowance bunch last month. But he flattered to deceive, after being in the lead for halfway. The performance was not a  true indication of his ability. Song Of Freedom, who was headlined in the daily newspapers, was backed as though losing was out the question. He too dropped away tamely after being pointed at the top of the straight. Toronto Star and Queen’s Band could not match the kick of Ruby Rich (11/1) up the stretch in the Handicap that followed, and Indian Game failed to respond to pressure in the Optional Claimer won by 5/1 choice Estilon.

Lady Rossie, who closed off at 11/1, continued the trend against the more favoured Affirm Decision and Loud Music in the other handicap. Soon after First Time, romped to a seven-length victory ahead of the more fancied pair of Tora Bora and Honey Belle, who lost their chances at the start. Sea Spider, who has been running consistently well in the higher league had no answer to V For Victory, the 5/1 choice in the market and rank outsider Cold Risk in the Optional Claiming $14,000 contest. Balthazar, came storming up the stretch late but failed in his attempt to peg back Peace Consort.  This ended the day on a sorry note for favourites and their backers, who in some instances seem to have reasons for complaints, either to the poor start to the day’s programme and/or some indifferent riding tactics being employed.