Ramsammy lands record six-timer

CANADIAN-BASED jockey Emile Ramsammy stole the show at the Arima Race Club Easter Monday racing fiesta at Santa Rosa Park, Arima, yesterday. The 42-year-old Trinidadian rider landed a record six winners on the day’s ten-race programme, including the feature Stechers Limited Trophy ARC Cup Handicap, to erase the feats of Englishman George Duffield, Panamanian Nobel Abrego and compatriot Rajpaul Rajkumar, who landed five. Ramsammy rode a perfectly timed race to land Cash Wager winner of the day’s feature from This Cat Is Back and champion Sugar Mike.

Always well placed in the six-horse field, Ramsammy brought his mount to challenge in the 1800 metres race as the horses rounded the bend, with Sugar Mike and This Cat Is Back, all in a line. And showing great strength from the saddle, Ramsammy drove Cash Wager to the line, just ahead of the second, with Sugar Mike another short head away third. Ramsammy started his day with an easy victory astride Chief Commander in his first ride, and he landed Rebel Music in the third with his second mount. He then guided Prince Charming to a six-and-a-half length victory in the co-feature Trinidad Trophies Limited Trophy Flamingo Stakes over 1350 metres.

With his fourth mount, he brought Fortunate Flag with a devastating late run to win the Caribbean Housing Limited Trophy Restricted Handicap over 1100 metres on the turf course. But Ricardo Jadoo out-foxed Ramsammy to land Flying Millie winner of the Trinidad Trophies Limited Trophy Ibis Stakes, having to settle for second astride pre-race favourite and champion two-year-old Arts And Lovers. After a flop aboard Reign Of Fire, he was back at his brilliant best in the ARC Cup.

And he ended the day in a flourish, bringing home Champagne Wager for his sixth winner from eight rides on the day. Champion trainer John O’Brien was best on the day saddling three winners, one more than Dr Jagdis Suratsingh and Jack Debideen. Apprentice Sheldon Rodrigo, a faller off Juanistheman was dazed and suffered a cut head and took no further part after the fourth race. Next raceday is Saturday, when Ramsammy will be bidding farewell.  He returns to Woodbine, Canada, on Monday.