Cash Wager swoops to reclaim Stewards’ Cup

VENEZUELAN rider Wilmer Galvis brought Cash Wager with a sweeping stretch run to win the feature Trintrac Ltd Stewards’ Cup Trophy and reclaim the title as premier sprinter in the South Caribbean on Trintrac Day, the 36th day of the Arima Race Club season at Santa Rosa Park, Arima, yesterday. Always well-positioned in the 1200 metres race with a ten-horse field, Jean Khan’s six-year-old American-bred colt, winner of the event two years ago, scooted clear in the final 100 metres to give his owner the $60,000 top slice of the $100,000 purse.

Pre-race favourite Sugar Mike trailed for most of the race, only making a bid 800 metres out but the acceleration was not there when champion jockey Brian Harding asked, confirming he was racing after fighting off a bout with tick fever. Mike Samlalsingh’s “Sugar Daddy” showed his class, however, managing to overhaul all but the winner and runner-up to finish third. Miss Lover Lover, second to Sugar Mike last year, filled the same position again yesterday. This four-year-old mare showed ahead of the field 500 metres out, but could not withstand the finishing burst of the winner. Lit D’Amour showed some spunk, leading until 500 metres from the finish, dropped back and looked beaten but came again to grab fourth. Earlier, Getdjobdone made a winning debut in taking the co-feature John Deere Imported Juvenile Sprint over 1200 metres. Junior Sammy’s two-year-old colt engaged in a rousing stretch duel with runner-up Bold As Brass, and was just the stronger at the finish for a length victory.

Getdjobdone was giving Sammy his third victory in a row in this race, having led in Invincibility in 2002 and Twice Infallible last year. The day was a triumph for trainer John O’Brien who saddled three winners to take his season tally to 49, two more than arch-rival Maniram “Boboy” Maharaj who saddled two on the day and left the trainer’s title to be decided on the final racing day December 27. Brian Harding is assured of keeping his title, although scoring one victory yesterday, but Gary Laban made sure of taking the apprentice crown landing two more winners yesterday. Favourites were on the mark yesterday, and as a result dividends were moderate except for the Yanmar Diesel Engine claimer won by Francesca, winning for the third time in four races.

With Ballybunion, and Groomsman following her home, the trifecta payout was a handsome $2,645.40, but with Renaissance Man in fourth, the superfecta dividend was a whopping $10,241.90. Another superfecta dividend crossed the $1,000 mark, that in the Honda Marine claimer won by Politics with Return To Glory next, Mir On Fire third and Lovely Pearl fourth.  The payout was biggest of the day — $11,917.00. Best tote dividend on the day was returned on Politics, $9.40 and $3.20. Racing now takes a break until December 27, when the Gold Cup, St James Stakes and St Ann’s Stakes will take the spotlight.