Fantastic Story told at Santa Rosa

FANTASTIC STORY made light work of his four rivals in winning the feature Stakes and Lower race on Day 27 of the Arima Race Club season at Santa Rosa Park, Arima, yesterday. Champion jockey Brian Harding had the Grant Lourenco-trained colt traking early leader Birdie Point most of the 1750 metres trip. And when Harding asked him for his effort 300 metres out, he lengthened readily to scoot away for a comfortable three-length victory.

Stablemate Invincibility joined Fantastic Story and the Bajan invader Birdie Point 400 metres out and looked likely to make a race of it. But Harding who took over the riding assignment on Fantastic Story because of an ailing Gary Laban, was having none of it and Invincibility’s challenge was quickly repelled. Apprentice Joshua Stephen drove Royal Miss to the wire for a neck victory over Stonebright in the 1200 metres race for two-year-old and over imported maidens to reward turfites with $21.00 and $5.10 on the tote.

And First Time who was winning for the second time on the trot, repaid backers with $13.40 and $5.40. Together with Bajan Connection, the exacta dividend was biggest of the day - $153.60, and with Reign Of Fire third the trifecta payout was $668.80. The Superfecta dividend on the First Time, Bajan Connection, Reign Of Fire, The Chairman combination also topped the day — $2,090.40. Christopher Jadoo landed his second career winner when he guided Karzai home first in the curtain event yesterday. But Lorne Keizer shared the riding honours with Harding, both booting home two winners each.

And Patrick de Freitas was the leading trainer on the day, saddling two winners. Next raceday is Friday, Republic Day, when the rich $250,000 Royal Oak Derby will be run off. Three Jamaican-bred horses - La Tonia, Uram and Seattle Sue - are expected to throw down a challenge to 12 locally-bred three-year-olds for the winner’s purse of $150,000. The Jamaicans are expected to arrive here on Tuesday.