Swing By aimed at Champion Stakes

Bernard Dulal-Whiteway has paid first entry for his Jamaica fillies triple crown winner for this year’s Caribbean Champion Stakes.

As a result, Swing By is set to clash with Royal Oak Derby winner Sara’s Music in the 1800 metres race to be run off on November 25.

The upstanding daughter of Alisios/Skip By missed the derby all because of an error of judgment by veterinarian Dr Roger d’Abadie, who injected her with a “prohibitive” substance two days before the Blue Riband run which robbed the event of its lustre. Millionaire, a late withdrawal from the derby, runner-up Bling Bling, third placed Greek Princess and fourth Phantomoftheopera are also entered for the “Champion.” Added to these are last year’s Royal Oak Derby runner-up Crown Point and 2001 derby winner Carnival Messiah and 2004 runner-up Latonia.

And to make the race even more glamorous, 2003 Guineas, Midsummer Classic, Royal Oak Derby and Champion Stakes $1 million horse Top Of The Class, last year’s Horse of the Year, also holds the engagement.

Should all the horses stand their ground and are fit and well, this event promises to provide another exciting finish as the derby did on Republic Day holiday, Monday last. To date, connections have paid the $600 first entry for 20 runners, for a total of $12,000. Second entry becomes due and payable on October 18. Here are the horses at first entry:

Caribbean Champion Stakes (Grade I) - 1800 Metres.

ANGEL OF MUSIC; BLING BLING; CARNIVAL MESSIAH; CHIEF COMMANDER; CROWN POINT; FRESH WINGS; FRESHMAN; GONZAGA; GREEK PRINCESS; HARBOUR MASTER; LATONIA; MILLIONAIRE; MUCHO TEMPO; PRIVILEGE; PHANTOMOFTHEOPERA; SARA’S MUSIC; SWING BY; TOP OF THE CLASS; URAM; WINDJAMMER.