More betting tellers for Boxing Day

THERE will be a big increase in race day tellers to deal with the anticipated huge holiday crowd at Santa Rosa Park, Arima, for the Boxing Day, Tuesday,  programme, final day of the Arima Race Club racing calendar. Making this announcement yesterday was ARC president Gerard Ferreira, speaking at a news conference to launch the Guardian Holdings Limited sponsorship of the day’s ten-race card. He said he expects to have additional tellers to operate over 110 machines to ease the problems of turfites getting tickets, which should also bolster the day’s take. Ferreira said, “I know we have asked 105 tellers to come out” for the days racing. The ARC boss said the club handled approximately $2 million last year and is making every effort to go past this mark at this 53rd running of the feature Guardian Gold Cup event on this occasion. And GHL chief executive officer Peter Ganteaume said his company was sponsoring the day’s entire programme including side attractions in the sum of over $350,000. According to Ganteaume, because of the attachment to racing by past chairman the late Naz Ahamad, GHL will continue to sponsor the Boxing Day programme in its entirety.

Apart from the 2000 metres Guardian Gold Cup, there will be the 32nd running of the Guardian Life St Ann’s and Guardian Life St James Stakes, both races over 1350 metres. At yesterday’s draw for post positions attended by several owners and trainers including Hugh Lee King owner of St James Stakes pre-race favourite All For Java, Justice Wendell Kangaloo who has Angel Of Music in the St Ann’s, trainer Grant Lourenco who sends out Sugar Mike in the Gold Cup, trainer John O’Brien who owns Sky High, and owner-trainer Douglas Bennett who races Ready Or Not all in the St Ann’s. Gold Cup pre-race favourites Sugar Mike drew post position #2, and Top Of The Class #5. And raging St James Stakes favourite All For Java will race from the lucky #7 slot with arch-rival Sara’s Music right alongside in #8. In the very open St Ann’s Stakes, Magnificat who had to be withdrawn last time out, is expected to carry most money to the post. The filly drew position #10 in the 13-horse field.

Here is the draw:
St Ann’s Stakes: 1. MP’S GOLD; 2. DUDLEY’S GIRL; 3. MYSTERY GIRL; 4. MAGIC MOMENTS; 5. ROAD RUNNER; 6. SKY HIGH; 7. FUN TIME; 8. READY OR NOT; 9. ANGEL OF MUSIC; 10. MAGNIFICAT; 11. GREEK PRINCESS; 12. DIPLOMACY; 13. ANTHISTOOWILLPASS.
Positions in the St James Stakes:
1. STRAIGHT DRIVE; 2, JACOBITE; 3. SHER KHAN; 4. KAYLA’S PRIDE; 5. SMOOTHANALERT; 6. THE NEGOTIATOR; 7. ALL FOR JAVA; 8. SARA’S MUSIC; 9. ADIOS AMIGOS; 10. BLUFF BID.
Guardian Gold Cup draw: 1. MISS LOVER LOVER; 2. SUGAR MIKE; 3. THIS CAT IS BACK; 4. ROYAL MISS; 5. TOP OF THE CLASS.