Sweet Sara’s Music filled Santa Rosa Park

The bay gelding was a clear 2 1/4 lengths winner of the 1800 metres race, the first jewel on the local Triple Crown, emulating his dam Indian Music’s 1996 success.

Arneaud had his mount on the heels of leader Windjammer and took over 800 metres out and when pre-race favourite Jacobite issued a challenge to a roar of the massive holiday crowd, he kicked clear to give owner Ronald Maharaj the $75,000 winner’s purse. Sing The Blues was the surprise in the race, finishing a gallant third rewarding backers with $40.50 on the tote.

The sub-feature on the Bookmakers Asso-ciation of Trinidad and Tobago-sponsored day’s 12-race card, the Fairchance Racing Service Eric “Colt” Durant Memorial Turf Handicap saw a huge upset when jockey Rajpaul Rajkumar sent Royal Miss to the front after 200 metres in the 1700 metres race on the turf course, and was never again headed for a 3 1/4 length victory, rewarding backers with $32.70 and $8.10 on the tote. Peace Offering, always close up held on for second with pre-race favourite Invincibility managing only third,

This Indian Arrival Day will always be remembered by 16-year-old apprentice rider Nicholas Patrick, granted a licence only on May 9, and scoring his first victory astride Balthazar, his third career mount. Patrick to date has to his credit one winner, one second and a third in three rides.

Backers of the eight-year-old Balthazar raked in $50.20 and $11.90 on the tote.

Jamaica champion jockey Brian Harding, back home for today’s racing, landed two winners and shared the day’s honours with Barbadian apprentice Christopher Husbands who also booted home two.

Trainers John O’Brien and Walter Debysingh saddled two winners each to be at the head of their peers.

Next racing day is June 10.