‘The Messiah’ lands feature at Santa Rosa

TRIPLE crown winner — two years ago — Carnival Messiah came back to his best form to easily take the Handicap 1 and Lower feature event at Santa Rosa Park, Arima, yesterday. Wilma Primus’ five-year-old colt made every yard of the running under apprentice Sheldon Rodrigo, striding away in the final 300 metres to record a five-and-a-quarter length victory in the 1750 metres race which he completed in a good 1:48.77 seconds. Ring Dang Do tried to keep pace with The Messiah, but fell away beaten when the heat was turned on, and Outswinger who was always close up claimed the runner-up spot. Phantom Bidder ran on without ever looking a danger to the first two to grab third, while stablemate Millenium Reign the other Derby winner in the event came late on the scene to get fourth in the race worth $14,500 to the winning owner. Man Of Class continued his grand form with a fluent four-length victory in the Allowance co-feature over 1200 metres.

Always cruising, apprentice Richard Persad only gave his mount his head entering the straight and he accelerated to leave Movietowne Magic in his wake. With the small fields on yesterday’s 10-race programme, dividends were very moderate except for the opener in which If Only surprise to reward backers with $58.40 and $6.80 on the tote. Another mild surprise came from Laura’s Boy who cruised home in the two-year-old maidens race over 1100 metres. This Maniram “Boboy” Maharaj owned and trained colt gave backers $13.80 and $4.40 on the tote, and together with Pave The Way Sure Honey and Fast Company following him home, the superfecta was best of the day $2,160.30. Only one other superfecta reached the $1,000 mark,  when Preffered Share led home Storming Wind, Lovely Pearl and Dunsborough. The payout was $1,047.80. Brian Harding was the star rider of the day landing three winners on the 10-race programme.  No other jockey managed more than one winning ride. Among the trainers, Maharaj and Harold Chadee shared the honours, each saddling two winners. Local racing takes a breather this weekend, but will be back on November 15 when the feature will be a 1200 metres race for West Indies-bred two-year-olds, carrying a purse of $22,000. There is also a Restricted Handicap over 1350 metres with a purse of $21,000 and a 1750 metres handicap on the turf worth $26,000.