Two Jamaicans in Bajan derby

BRIDGETOWN:  Jamaican trainer Andrew Nunes has two entries in next month’s United Insurance Barbados Derby at the Garrison Savannah race track.

Jamaica-bred Restless Rullah and Royal Deputy, from the Nunes barn, are among 11 horses nominated in the final subscription stage for the August 9 Barbados Derby. Royal Deputy, a chestnut colt, by Royal Minister out of Crme de la Crme, finished seventh in the Midsummer Classic, and the bay colt, Restless Rullah, by Forty Mile out of Restless Babe, was a close second in last month’s BNB Pinnacle Home Equity Trophy. Nunes has done well since arriving in Barbados earlier this year to train horses for top owner Sir Charles Williams. He has an impressive strike rate of seven wins from 24 starts, with three second place and two third place finishes.

Midsummer Creole Classic winning filly Sweet Dreams is among the nominations for the 10-furlong event, along with a third Jamaica-bredentry — Royal Red, trained by Naz Issa. Sweet Dreams is the race favourite after her win in the Midsummer Creole Classic, and a close second place finish — to Kandahar — in the Easter Guineas. Other top entries include Cat Attack, who was third in the Guineas and second in the Midsummer Classic, Ginger Bay, and Lubricator.