Eustace tops Mas King prelims

The action occurred on Thursday at Queen’s Park Savannah where more than 40 kings and 40 queens vied for 20 places in each class in next week’s semi-finals.

Seven-time champ Eustace is trying to match the eight wins recorded by Minshall’s masquerader Peter Samuel, who dominated the 1970s and 1980s with outfits like The Midnight Robber, Mancrab, and The Sacred and Profane. Eustace has won in 1997, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2005.

Now Eustace is portraying "Out of d’ depths," a ferocious sea-creature in a vast splash of turquoise and purple.

Minshall’s king, "Son of Saga Boy," portrayed by Kerwin Paul, also made an impact with its all-black body with huge colourful dreadlocks, and also for its AIDS-awareness message. As onlookers keenly clapped, they were stunned to hear the announcer frankly state that the masquerader was HIV-positive. "It could be your son, or your neighbour," said the announcer.

Roland St George placed second with "Gladiator Demetrius" from Trini Revellers’ presentation "Rome, the Empire." It was a huge Roman helmet.

Also from Trini Revellers was third-placed Geraldo Vieira Sr, a veteran designer who at age 67 years this year replaced his son on stage, portraying a Roman centurion titled "The Might of Rome."

Coming fourth was Jhawhan Thomas, a big hit with the crowd, with his "Dance and Rejoice," a huge king sailor with a face like comedian Bill Trotman. Fifth-placed Earl Thompson’s "Jupiter, God of light and the sky" came on stage to David Rudder’s controversial "High Mas," sounding as fresh as ever. Thompson was dressed as a Roman soldier topped by an eagle face, with a nice front of blue and silver sequins, backed by tie-dye rainbow flags. The crowd cheered his totally hand-held outfit.

Leroy Prieto also refused to use float-wheels in his outfit "Horus, the Avenger," a huge fabric curved in an unusual yet intriguing form.

The top queen was Poison’s Anne-Marie Quammie-Alleyne portraying "My love for the Carib Queen Valentina Medina." A figure of the Carib Queen was backed by huge semi-circles showing a rich and regal tapestry of gold, silver and crimson. Second came Pamela Gordon with "Winged Jewel of the forest." Third was Wendy Matthews with "Dianna, Goddess of the moon" which was a mini Parthenon nestled between white moon crescents.

Although she placed just 13th, Jenna-Marie Andre made a big impact in resurrecting a Minshall figure of yesteryear in "Miss Universe, Tantan’s girl child."

This all-white figure bobbed along with striding legs, topped by the face of former Miss Universe Wendy Fitzwilliams, sporting a red ribbon. Asked about Minshall’s message, his former Carnival queen Alyson Browne told Newsday "It’s for the Aids Foundation."