Outswinger bowls ‘Champagne’ rivals

JOCKEY Ricardo Jadoo bowled his nine rivals an Outswinger as he made all the running on the Jack-Debideen-trained four-year-old gelding to capture the feature Barbados Champagne Stakes Trophy Handicap on Barbados Tourism Authority Day, at Santa Rosa Park, Arima, yesterday. The clever rider sent his charge into the lead from the off in the 1600 metres event on the turf course worth $75,000, and he kept his rivals at bay throughout. Pre-race favourite Phantom Bidder always well-positioned came to join leader Outswinger 600 metres out, when Invincibility also ranged up on the outside to put down a challenge. But despite hard driving by Panamanian jockey Nobel Abrego, Outswinger just kept finding that little bit extra to get home by a head over “The Phantom”, with Invincibility pegging on for third and a late rallying Miss Lover Lover next.

The day’s 10-race programme, fully sponsored by the BTA, turned up some surprise winners including Rhythm Divine, who rewarded backers with $23.70 and $6.20 on the tote, and when Redoubled scored backers collected $21.10 and $6.20. Lady Rossie, winner of the Savannah Hotel race paid $16.80 and $3.30 on a tote $2 ticket. Locally-bred three-year-old Java Takeover from the Maniram “Boboy” Maharaj stable showed she will be a force in the sprints this season, when beating five older horses in the NEMWIL Allowance race over 1200 metres. Best trifecta dividend of the day was paid on the Rhythm Divine, Gaza Strip, A Firm Relief combination — $1,563.40. But turfites had to wait until the final event won by Beautiful Mind with Champagne Wager second, Baggy Green third and Cornerstone fourth to get their biggest superfecta payout — $5,665.70.

Both Jadoo and Abrego landed two winners each to be best riders on the day, while John O’Brien was the only trainer to saddle two winners. Meanwhile, owner/breeder/trainer Maharaj drew a $500 fine for racing Man Of Class, which the stewards found “not fit enough to run on its merits.” Apprentice Keno Chandler was fined $300 and grounded for three race days for employing what the stewards called “exaggerated waiting tactics” astride the same horse. Another to feel the ire of the stewards was jockey Fazal Razack who was grounded for the next race day, after the stewards found him guilty of what they described as “not taking all reasonable and permissable measures in ensuring his mount (Spin N’Squeeze) obtains its best possible placing.”