Daredevil Hero’s death shocks turfites

LOCAL turfites were left in shock early yesterday, with the news that rising star Daredevil Hero had died. The three-year-old son of Devil His Due/Justified owned by the Dachin Racing Stables led by Derek Chin and trained by champion Glenn Mendez expired at 11 am yesterday, four days after unseating rider Gary Laban and making three circuits of the Santa Rosa Park track before landing in a nearby ditch. According to Arima Race Club administrator, promotions and marketing Hayden Huggins, Daredevil Hero collapsed and died in his stall. He said a joint autopsy conducted by Dr Clive Rahamut-Ali jr and Dr Ryan Shim concluded death was due to “septic shock from a dying right lung.” They claimed, “This internal injury may have happened as a result of the fall the colt took.”

At the off in the Southern Sales and Services-sponsored Eric “Colt” Durant Memorial Handicap on Indian Arrival Day, Monday, Daredevil Hero the odds-on favourite to win the race, stumbled and fell dislodging Laban. On Tuesday, Mendez said his charge miraculously escaped with only some bruises, and would be back in training after a few days, unaware of the internal injuries. Meanwhile, trainers continued to get their horses ready for tomorrow’s 10-race programme at Santa Rosa Park. And the stout-hearted Melanie My Love from the Maniram “Boboy” Maharaj  barn took the morning’s honours with a 400 metres gallop, stopping the clock in 23.02 seconds. Stablemate Java Takeover also had a good run out yesterday, stepping 600 metres in 36.72 seconds. And Premier Attraction showed some spark in a 1000 metres gallop completed in 1:06.77 seconds.

Gallops recorded yesterday:  400 METRES - COPY CAT  - 29.07 handy; CRACK SHOT  - 28.98 handy; DUNSBOROUGH  - 29.92 handy; KASER’S GOLD - 23.93 ridden.
MAJESTIC  - 25.21 easy; ROCKET BOOSTER- 24.12 handy; SOUL ASYLUM  - 28.92 handy; MELANIE MY LOVE  - 23.02 good; PAULA’S FIRST  - 29.96 handy; SPEED AT LAST and SYNERGY - 29.75 handy; TWICE THE JET  - 28.52 handy;     
600 METRES - EMBEDDED OPTION and PISTOL PETE 43.50 handy; JAVA TAKEOVER  - 36.72 good; MANDELA  - 39.08 handy; MISS REAL QUIET  - 38.64 handy; SUNSET - 44.92; MUSIC MAN  - 39.37 handy; MY SON JOHN  44.63 handy; PRIVATE AFFAIR and TRINI TO D BONE  - 44.92 handy.
800 METRES - ADORING RUBY  - 52.4 handy; BLONDIE  - 52.30 handy;   COTONOU  - 55.85 handy; DANZC WITH CLASS  - 57.17 handy; GOLDENEYE  - 56.04 handy; REDOUBLED - 54.41 handy;  TRAVEL AGENT  - 53.00 handy; GHOST MEADOW - 53.01 handy.
1000 METRES - ATTITUDE  - 1:13.4 handy; COMANCHERO  - 1:10.4 handy; JOINT ACCOUNT  - 1:12.12 handy; PREMIER ATTRACTION  - 1:06.77 handy; TACTICAL BID  - 1:14.93 handy.