It’s an Over And Above disqualification stunnner

BANDINTHONG made every metre of the feature Restricted Handicap for a convincing three and a quarter length victory on Day ten of the Arima Race Club 2004 season at Santa Rosa Park, Arima, yesterday. But turfites were left stunned after the eighth race for three-year-old West Indies-bred maidens over 1750 metres. Jockey Ricardo Jadoo steered pre-race favourite Over And Above to an emphatic seven-length win. Soon, however, the delight on turfites face were turned into gloom when they saw an objection posted against the #9 on the Jockeys Board.

And later the Nazir Ahamad-owned colt was disqualified and placed last, when it was discovered the jockey weighed-in two kilos short of the 56.5 kilos he should have carried. The stewards indicated while watching the race worth $11,000 to the winning owner, they saw something drop near the 600 metres marker and later reviewed the film of the race before making their decision. The race was awarded to runner-up Takeover, and with Sou Sou Moni in second, Nowornever third and Sure Honey fourth, the superfecta dividend was a very handsome $9,217.70. Erin Dancer was the biggest surprise winner on the day, rewarding backers with $13.90 and $3.00 on the tote.

Champion jockey Brian Harding was the star rider of the day, apart from his victory on Bandinthong, displaying all his experience and skill in landing Hatrick and Entertainer, the latter just holding on by a neck. Together with Bound To Dot Com, Dunsborough and Groomsman, the superfecta combination was second best on the day - $4,648.50. Panamanian rider Nobel Abrego also had a fine day with two winning rides, including the race awarded to Takeover from the John O’Brien stable. Best trainer of the day was Stephen Jardim who saddled three winners, while youngster Derick Mosca had two.