Jockey Laban stars at Santa Rosa Park

YOUNG rider Gary Laban stole the spotlight on Raceday 5 of the Arima Race Club at Santa Rosa Park, Arima, yesterday. Just like on Saturday last week, he booted home three winners on yesterday’s eight-race programme. The feature Starter Allowance over 1300 metres was robbed of much interest  when raging pre-race favourite was a late withdrawal. And Punto A Punto took advantage of the Russell Ramsammy colt’s absence to romp home a length and three-quarters winner. The nine-year-old horse stalked early leader Movietowne Magic then pounced with 400 metres still to run and swept to victory under the urgings of apprentice Nela Mohammed.

Jamaican-bred Uram made hacks of six rivals in the Restrictred Handicap over 1750 metres in which Millenium Reign refused. Confidently ridden by Brian Harding, Elias Haloute’s five-year-old kept track of the leaders from third position throughout. And when Harding asked him to race, he literally flew past Fearless Angel who set off to make it all, and went on to win by 9 1/2 lengths. Despite the very compact programme, dividends were relatively good throughout the day. This was compounded when Laban pushed Balthazar to the wire ahead of nine runners to reward backers with $38.50 and $5.00 on the tote. But the biggest trifecta and superfecta dividend came in the 1100 metres sprint on the turf course for three-year-old maidens.

Money Up Front passed the post first and rewarded turfites with $10.40 and $4.70 on the tote, but with Forever Sharon second and Straight Drive third, the trifecta dividend was $1,972.40 and with Roadrunner finishing fourth the superfecta paid $2,848.50. Snooky Lou started the day of  surprise winners with victory in the second race for tote payouts of $11.40 and $3.90. Coupled with second placed Really Quiet, third Bandikoot and Joint Account fourth, the superfecta dividend was a handsome $2,341.50. Leading trainer on the day was defending champion John O’Brien who saddled two winners. Next raceday at Santa Rosa Park is the Carnival Friday Lime on February 24.