Millenium Reign wins Derby heroes battle

MILLENIUM REIGN won the battle of Royal Oak Derby winners when he strode away in the straight to beat Triple Crown hero Carnival Messiah to win the feature Allowance event on the Arima Race Club Day 30 programme at Santa Rosa Park, Arima, yesterday. The Messiah set off to make it all in the 1750 metres event tracked by Ring Dang Do, with Millenium Reign and Champagne Wager loping four lengths back in the five-horse field. Last year’s Derby winner Millenium Reign was urged on by Venezuelan jockey Wilmer Galviz to close the gap as the field galloped along the back stretch. With  600 metres left to run in the race carrying a total purse of $26,000, The Messiah, winner of the Triple Crown in 2001 still had the call with Ring Dang Do still stalking and Millenium Reign closing fast. Galviz pushed Millenium Reign to join issue as the horses reached the turn for home and within a few strides on straightening up, he went clear of the Messiah and romped home a length-and-a-half winner, with Ring Dang Do holding his position for third and Champagne Wager next.

The very disappointing Golden Shufleur never raised a serious gallop and trailed in last of the five runners. Two-year-old Zalyan, owned by Bertwin Samlalsingh, made an impressive debut in winning the day’s opener over 1100 metres by seven-and-three-quarter lengths. But Cat Woman scored a big surprise victory in the Maiden Claiming race to reward basckers with $27.00 and $5.40 on the tote. And together with second placed Shezabute, third Principle and El Presidente fourth, the superfecta paid a handsome $2,479.70. Riding honours went to veteran jockey Brian Harding who landed a four timer yesterday, while the top trainer of the day was Harriram Gobin who saddled two winning horses. Next race day is Saturday, when the feature will be the Eric “Colt” Durant Memorial Handicap over 1725 metres on the turf course, a race named after the late Maestro of Marabella, for which subscriptions have been paid for 12 horses including Phantom Bidder, and Carnival Messiah.