GAME HIGH is ready for the Arima Race Club “Friday Lime” at Santa Rosa Park, Arima, on Friday afternoon.
The Chester Roberts-trained gelding stepped 1000 metres in an excellent 1:02.8 seconds yesterday morning, and must have galloped himself into the reckoning for the feature Mr Solo Restricted Handicap over 1350 metres. This bay Pierpont WH Scott-owned horse by Windy Hill/Sonoric must be consisered in the $21,000 event, where he will tangle with speedsters Tactical Bid, Piece Of Cake and Bite De Bullet. With 51.5 kilos in his saddlebags and Rajpaul Rajkumar to guide him, Game High should give a very good account of himself, showing he was rounding into his best form when fifth in his last outing. Also showing good form at the gallops yesterday was Born To Charm who flashed some speed over 400 metres, completing the trip in 25.2 seconds, but is not engaged Friday. Another showing good speed over 600 metres was Wild Life who holds the engagement in the Mobil Heatwave Handicap for West Indies-bred three-year-old non-winners over 1250 metres. This filly, trained by Patrick de Freitas for owner Marilyn Miller went over 600 metres in a good 37 seconds flat. The disappointing Copy Cat also turned in a good gallop over 400 metres in 27.4 seconds, and is one to note for the Matrix West Indies-bred three-year-old maidens over 1200 metres, which carries a purse of $22,000. Also seen out doing light work was Top Of The Class who will be attempting to win the triple crown in next month’s Royal Oak Derby. He went over 800 metres in a comfortable 57.3 seconds. There will be seven races on Friday, with each taking on the name of a powerboat to launch the annual Great Race.
Here are the runners, weights and riders for the seven races:
RACE 1 (2.25 PM) – ROUGHNECK HANDICAP – 3 Y.O. IMPORTED MAIDENS – 1150 METRES – PURSE: $21,000 – 1. CRIMSON TOWER 53.5 R Freeman; 2. CYBER FIVE 47 L Keizer; 3. X TO BOARD 49 B Harding; 4. GAZA STRIP 56.5 R Jadoo; 5. MARACAS BAY 48 G Laban; 6. RING DANG DO 52.5 W Bharath.
RACE 2 (2.55 PM) – HERO II – 3 Y.O. & OVER OPTIONAL CLAIMING – 1300 METRES – PURSE: $14,000 – 1. ONCE IN A LIFETIME 48.5 L Munoz; 2. REGENT BOY 43.5 S Rodrigo; 3. SPIN N’SQUEEZE 51.5 F Razack; 4. KAY-GEE-BEE 48.5 W Bharath; 5. DAURIAN 45.5 G Laban; 6. MYSTILE 50.5 R Rajkumar; 7. YANKEE EAGLE 55.5 N Abrego; 8. DURABILITY 49.5 R Ragoonath; 9. JUSTICE 52.5 R Freeman.
RACE 3 (3.30 PM): INTENSE TOO 3 Y.O. & OVER OPTIONAL CLAIMING – 1300 METRES – PURSE: $18,000 – 1. TAKE CHARGE 49.5 C Marquez; 2. GROOMSMAN 49.5 N Abrego; 3. JENA’S DELIGHT 44.5 F Razack; 4. ALIBI IKI 52.5 W Galviz; 5. BOLD FAPP 48.5 G Laban; 6. SOCA TEMPO 49.5 R Jadoo; 7. ULA 50.5 L Keizer; 8. STORMY SEASON 49.5 H Emamalie.
RACE 4 (4.05 PM): MATRIX W.I. BRED 3 Y.O. MAIDENS – 1200 METRES – PURSE $22,000 – 1. MY APHRODITE 52.5 H Emamalie; 2. COPY CAT 55.5 L Keizer; 3. RUNNING TRICK 46.5 R Badal; 4. MARY MAGDALENE 50.5 W Galviz; 5. SARAH’S TRICK 44.5 C Marquez; 6. DARE TO DREAM 55.5 D Gaff; 78. YOU’VE GOT MAIL52.5 R Jadoo; 8. TRAVEL AGENT 56.56 B Harding; 9. NEVER EVER WORRIE 53.5 W Bharath; 10. SMALL AXE 44.5 R Ragoonath.
RACE 5 (4.40 PM): CASTROL EXTREME 3 Y.O., & OVER OPTIONAL CLAIMING – 1350 METRTES – PURSE: $18,000 – 1. POLITICS 53.5 R Jadoo; 2. FEMALE BANDIT 50.5 N Abrego; 3. ESTILON 49.5 K Bissoon; 4. TRIBAL PLACE 39.5 L Keizer; 5. HUNDRED PERCENT 51.5 N. Samaroo; 6. Balthazar 55.5 B Harding; 7. BONUS POINT 51.5 G Laban; 8. FRESH HONEY 44.5 K Bissoon; 9. DUNSBOROUGH 52.5 H Gobin; 10. PEACE CONSORT 52.5 W Galviz.
RACE 6 (5.13 PM): MR SOLO RESTRICTED HANDICAP – W.I.. BRED 3 Y.O. & OVER WINNERS & IMPORTED 3 Y.O. & OVER – 1300 METRTES – PURSE: $21,000 – 1. MORGAN HERITAGE 53.5 W Galviz; 2. MANDELA 53.5 L Keizer; 3. BAJAN CONNECTION 46 R Jadoo; 4. BITE DE BULLET 50 S Rodrigo; 5. GAME HIGH 51.5 R Rajkumar; 6. TACTICAL BID 56.5 B Harding; 7. PIECE OF CAKE 49 H Emamalie.
RACE 7 (5.50 PM): MOBIL HEATWAVE HANDICAP – W.I. BRED 3 Y.O. NON-WIMNNERS OF TWO RACES – 1250 METRES – PURSE: $18,000 – 1. FANTASTIC LAD 54.5 B Harding; 2. HYARIMA 49 F Razack; 3. WILD LIDFE 53.5 G Laban; 4. CORNERSTONE 56.5 N Abrego; 5. MILLENIUM DANCER 54 R Thomas; 6. SIR VIDIA 51 R Jadoo; 7. BAGGY GREEN 55.5 N Samaroo; 8. BOUND TO DOT COM 50 W Galviz; 9. JOAN OF ARC 52 R Rajkumar; 10. SUPER GREY 52.5 W Bharath; 11. HATRICK 48C Marquez; 12. FRESH MANDATE 49 L Keizer.
Here are the gallops recorded yesterday: 400 METRES – BORN TO CHARM – 25.2; COPY CAT – 27.4; LOUD MUSIC – 29.0; PIECE OF CAKE – 29.9..
600 METRES – DIGITAL ALARM – 44.9; MILLENIUM DANCER- 44.7; RETURN TO GLORY – 38.6; RUNNING TRICK – 44.6; SPIN N’SQUEEZE – 39.8; ULA – 40.8; WILD LIFE – 37.0; RETIRED BANKER – 42.2.
800 METRES – ACTUAL LADY – 54.0; COTONOU – 52.4; JOAN OF ARC -51.9; TOP OF THE CLASS – 57.3; TRAVEL AGENT – 52.3.
1000 METRES – GAME HIGH – 1:02.8; MORGAN HERITAGE – 1:10.7.
THE SMASHING gold medal performance of Trinidad and Tobago swimmer George Bovell on Monday at the Pan American Games has made all of Trinidad and Tobago proud.
Leading the praises heaped on the swimming star was Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs Roger Boynes. The 20-year-old Auburn University swimmer clocked a new national record time of one minute 48.90 seconds as he struck gold in the 200-metre freestyle at the Juan Pablo Duarte Aquatic Centre, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Bovell, who also represents Piranha Aquatics, is the second national swimmer to claim a Pan Am medal, after Mark Andrews took bronze in the 100m free at the 1987 Games in Indianapolis, USA. The six-foot-five-inch tall Bovell placed fifth in his pet event, the 200m individual medley, at the recent World Championships in Barcelona, Spain. Boynes, who congratulated both Bovell and coach Anil Roberts via a telephone call, also sent a message to the swim team at the Games Village yesterday. “You continue to make your entire country proud by your achievement, which has taken us to the top of the swimming fraternity,” stated Boynes. “Your comendable accomplishment makes you a worthy ambassador and an inspiration to not only the nation’s youth, but to all citizens of Trinidad and Tobago and the region as a whole,” he said. “Your performance is a tribute to true sportsmanship,” ended Boynes.
Al Roberts, president of the Piranha Aquatics Swim Club, also sent a message of congrats to Bovell yesterday. “Once again you have made your family, your club, your country and the entire Central American and Caribbean region justly proud by your aquatic excellence,” said Al Roberts, father of Bovell’s coach, Anil. “You continue to serve as a beacon and inspiration to all our swimmers in Trinidad and Tobago and the region and we hail you as our aquatic ambassador extraordinaire,” Roberts, an attorney-at-law said. “We do look forward to your continued pursuit of excellence in consonance with the motto of our club, namely Piranhas in Pursuit of Excellence as you continue to add medals of a similar texture to your collection to the glory of swimming in Trinidad and Tobago,” Roberts stated. In Santo Domingo yesterday Bovell said he was humbled by his latest success, indicating his record-breaking performance has taken a lot of pressure off him going into the 200 IM in which he aims to reclaim his Commonwealth record on Saturday. He said for Monday’s race he patterned his performanace on Russian star Alexander Popov who starts off very quickly, then cruises before accelerating again to leave all comers in his wake. Bovell said he is gearing up for the Olympic Games in Athens next year. “I am going back to the University of Auburn and try and get a few top class competitions in before Athens,” said Bovell.
GEORGETOWN: Trinidad and Tobago gave another powerful performance when the opening round of the TCL West Indies Youth Challenge three-day series got started against the Windwards Island at the GCC Bourda ground in Guyana yesterday.
Debutant Magnum Nanan grabbed five wickets for 10 runs, as the Windwards were routed for a meagre 134, and then TT’s skipper Denesh Ramdin hit a polished unbeaten 70 as the newly-crowned limited overs champions closed on 121 for two wickets. West Indies “A” batsman Lendl Simmons is on 19. Windwards skipper Liam Sebastien won the toss and decided to bat, a decision that backfired early when Craig Emmanuel (4) was dismissed by Kwesi Roy with only six runs on the board. TT’s senior pacer Ravi Rampaul then quickly removed Mervyn Noel (0) and Liam Sebastien (19), as the Windwards were reduced to 44 for three and then 64 for four at lunch, when Simmons had top-scorer Luke Brown (38) caught at back-ward point by Kapil Subran. Brown’s innings lasted 70 minutes and 50 balls and included seven fours.
On the resumption, it was a one-man show, as left-arm spinner Nanan spun a web around the Windwards’ batting with a telling spell of chinaman and googly bowling. He accounted for the last five batsmen from 7.3 overs , including that of Linden James (31) which contained four fours from 82 deliveries. Ramdin and Tishan Maraj (12) started the Trinidad and Tobago reply and posted 27, before Maraj went leg before wicket to Emmanuel. Ramdin and Petrock Nicholas (14) then added 66 for the second wicket, before the latter departed leg-before-wicket to Mervyn Mathews with the total on 93. In between Ramdin registered his 50, which came in 96 minutes off 71 balls. He has so far batted for 160 minutes. Trinidad and Tobago replaced Kavesh Kantasingh and Vishnu Narine with Nanan and Roy from the team that defeated Windwards in the limited overs final. Play started 30 minutes late due to a mix-up in a new regulation which states that a fast bowler can only bowl six overs in a session. That was sorted out by an official of the Guyana Cricket Board.
CHAMPION Trinidad and Tobago boxer Kerston Manswell is guaranteed a bronze medal in the heavyweight category at the 14th Pan American Games at Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
Facing Francisco Garcia Nunez in yesterday’s quarterfinal bout at the Carlos Teo Cruz Coliseum, Manswell prevailed by a 12-5 scoreline and will now meet American Devin Miles Vargas in today’s semifinal matchup. The Tobagonian pugilist will be going all out for a gold medal, after claiming silver in his two international events last year — the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games as well as the Commonwealth Games in Manchester, England. Yesterday the women’s hockey team were forced to settle for sixth overall after a 6-0 hammering by Canada in the fifth-place playoff while the men’s unit were due to meet the United States for fifth spot. At the Juan Pablo Duarte Aquatic Centre, Shannon Duval of Marlins Swim Club qualified for last night’s “B” final of the women’s 200m breaststroke. But George Bovell will return to the pool this morning to compete in the men’s 100m freestyle heats. The 20-year-old will be going all out tonight for his second gold medal in three days, after winning the 200m freestyle final on Monday night. Younger brother Nicholas will participate in the 200m backstroke while fellow Piranha Aquatic clubmate Ayeisha Collymore will feature in this morning’s 100m backstroke heats, with places in tonight’s finals at stake. And the women’s 4x100m freestyle relay team of Katherine Lee Ha, Linda McEachrane, Sharntelle McLean and Collymore will also vie for a precious medal today.
GEORGETOWN: On a day in which 106 minutes were lost to rain, Guyana, despite an entertaining 51 from Sauid Drepaul, struggled to 140 for six wickets against the Leewards Islands when bad light stopped play, on the first day of their first round TCL Group regional Under-19 three-day cricket encounter at the Everest ground yesterday.
The entire first session was lost due to a wet pitch, which was left uncovered during rain in Georgetown on Monday. Two more stoppages in the post lunch session resulted in 46 more minutes being lost, before the sun came out and the Leewards restricted the home team to 134 for six slipping from 86-1, on a slow track with help for the spinners. Off spinner Larry Joseph troubled all the batsmen and finished with two wickets for 18 runs from 15 overs and two balls, and accounted for the wicket of vice-captian Drepaul who hit five fours in his 51 from 99 balls and 138 minutes. A small crowd which watched play included West Indies vice-captain Ramnaresh Sarwan and Caribbean Squash Queen Andrea King In the other match there was no play between Rest of America against Jamaica at the DCC ground. Heavy rainfall overnight and during the early morning left the outfield waterlogged and there was also seepage to the covers.
GEORGETOWN: Title holders Barbados endured a miserable start to their defence against Canada, when the three-day championship of the TCL Group West Indies Under-19 Cricket Challenge opened yesterday at Enmore.
Barbados, who were sent to bat after two-and-a-half hours were lost due to rain, were 104 for nine when stumps were drawn. The highest score for Barbados was a knock of 24 from Kirk Edwards. He gained support from Jamal Smith and Kevin Stoute with 17 each, as well as tail-ender Ruel Brathwaite with 15. Karun Jheti was Canada’s most successful bowler with four wickets for 22 runs from 16 overs. Soham Anjarai gave him essential support with three wickets for 44 runs from 20 overs. Barbados are the defending champions of the three-day competition, after beating Trinidad and Tobago in the final of last year’s youth championship in Jamaica.
A 20-year-old man, married on June 26 (one month and 14 days ago) to his 19-year-old bride, was seen hanging from a rope in his bedroom around 10 am yesterday.
Reports are that Dennis Cassie and a relative had an argument. Cassie reportedly stormed into the bedroom of his Lyle Lane Street, Felicity house. A short while later, he was heard screaming, which alerted neighbours and relatives who rushed to the scene and cut him down from the rafter. His wife Nalini then pounded his chest until a pulse was found and he was rushed to the Chaguanas Health Centre. The PH driver was treated and moved to the Intensive Care Unit of the Port-of-Spain General Hospital where he underwent several tests, including a $1,600-CAT Scan at the request of relatives. Up to late yesterday, Cassie was hooked up to a life-support machine at the ICU. When Newsday visited the scene of the incident, relatives and neighbours said they preferred to say nothing about the incident.
A female relative of the man said he never showed signs of being suicidal. The relative said that Cassie had become frustrated over financial difficulties. At the Chaguanas Health Centre, nurses on duty told Newsday that his condition was critical when he arrived at the health centre and he had a very weak pulse. He was also unconscious and despite attempts to revive him by doctors at the Health Centre, it was decided to move him to the hospital. At the Port-of-Spain General Hospital, his wife Nalini remained at his side and said she was praying for his recovery. Officers of the Chaguanas Police Station were alerted and a party of officers led by Sgt Dennis Housend, Ag Sgt Ajith Persad, Cpl Nicholas Aguilerra, and PC Chris Langley went to the Chaguanas Health Centre where he interviewed relatives of Cassie. PC Langley is continuing investigations.
ATTORNEY Steven Kelshall was found dead in his St Vincent Street, Port-of-Spain office by two of his employees late Monday evening, police said.
Kelshall, 53, a father of two, of Sinclair Hill, Diego Martin, reportedly suffered a sudden and massive heart attack, police and relatives told Newsday. Police sources said Kelshall’s employees, Vinod Maraj and Kathleen Belgrave found the attorney slumped in his chair around 4pm. “I am doing fine. It was just a shock to know a young man could just die like that,” Belgrave said. She added that he had just been handed a document. A report was made following the discovery and police said officers from the Central Police Station under Cpl Joseph and PC Warner-Paul responded within minutes. District Medical Officer (DMO) Dr Mootoo also visited the scene and pronounced him dead. The lawyer’s body was ordered removed to the Port-of-Spain mortuary where a post mortem was performed yesterday. The autopsy confirmed he died of a heart attack.
Another of Kelshall’s employee told Newsday yesterday that some of his staff members were in his office with him just moments before he was found dead. “He had no complaints. We are still in a daze and he had so much to live for. He was just 53,” the employee said, later describing Kelshall as one of the most beautiful people, who was also extremely honest and loyal. “He was so very beautiful to work with,” the employee said, not wanting to give a name. The employee said Kelshall specialised in all types of law. “He was a one-man person and did everything.” The employee told Newsday that Kelshall took over the Port-of-Spain office in the early 90’s after his father, Arnold Sinclair Kelshall died. Kelshall’s son, Joseph told Newsday that he was very sad about his father’s passing, but that he did not know who will take over his father’s business. He said his father will be buried Thursday following a 10am funeral service at the Tranquillity Methodist Church. Steven’s only brother, Christopher Kelshall described his brother as a people person and one who was larger than life. “It was just sudden and tragic. His two children are traumatised,” Christopher said. He, however, refuted the police story that his brother was found dead. He said there were employees with him and that they tried to assist him. “We were very close,” he said. Christopher added that his deceased brother was a sportsperson and was the youngest player ever to represent this country in Rugby. He was also a hockey player. He said that his brother was a third generation attorney. His grandfather and father were both lawyers.
A 17-year-old schoolboy appeared before Senior Magistrate Lianne Lee Kim charged with eight counts of armed robbery, three of which were with the use of personal violence.
Anderson Ganesh, of Plaisance Terrace, Laventille, was arrested after allegedly robbing eight persons using a firearm at the Eastern Main Road, Laventille, on Saturday night while working together with others. Ganesh is charged with robbing Yvonne Bynum of $80; Donna Milford of $25; Mark Swift of $40 with the use of personal violence; Kenrick Johnson of $480 with the use of personal violence; Curtis Joseph of $150 with the use of personal violence; Sherlon Telesford of an $800 watch, a $3,000 ring and a $3,000 chain; Kishell Noriega of jewelery valued at $1,900; and Shawn Alleyne of $500, US$50, a bank card, ID card and a $40 wallet. The charges were laid indictably by PC Constance of the Morvant CID.
Defence attorney Patrick Godson-Phillips made a lengthy application for bail saying that it was sad to see such a young person getting involved in the penal system. The application was denied. Connor said that she wished for PC Constance to be present before she considered the application. The teen was remanded in custody at YTC until today when he will re-appear before Magistrate Melvin Daniel in the Port-of-Spain Magistrates’ Court.
Energy Minister Eric Williams signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Venezuela’s Energy Minister Rafael Ramirez to facilitate the joint exploration of cross-border natural gas reserves.
According to a release from the Prime Minister’s office, this energy co-operation initiative, which will be undertaken by PDVSA of Venezuela and Petrotrin of Trinidad and Tobago, is one of many strategies currently being implemented by the Government to facilitate major expansion of this country’s energy sector. It also aims to bring significant growth in the business sector and dramatic job creation, it said. In bi-lateral discussions last Thursday, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez Frias and Prime Minister Patrick Manning discussed strategies for deeper economic co-operation between Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela. Among the strategies under serious evaluation is the feasibility of a gas pipeline from Venezuela and Trinidad, through the Caribbean to North and Central America. Also under evaluation is the formation of a giant entity comprising the State-owned energy companies of Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Brazil and Peru.
President Chavez also expressed Venezuela’s interest in entering into an arrangement though which natural gas, which is located in close proximity to Trinidad, will be monetised in Trinidad, and shipped from Trinidad to export markets worldwide. Trinidad and Tobago is one of the world’s leading suppliers of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and currently provides 60 per cent of energy supplies imported by the US. Venezuela also has one of the world’s largest natural gas reserves. The cross-border reservoir between Trinidad and Venezuela is estimated as “huge”. Both President Chavez and Manning are committed to the realisation of energy co-operation and economic integration initiatives and are already planning further discussions, within the next two months, in order to expedite these initiatives. Manning, according to the release, is confident that Trinidad and Tobago is well poised for unprecedented economic development through strategic trade relations with our Caribbean and Latin American neighbours. According to Manning, Trinidad and Tobago is already a strong economic engine in the Caribbean Region and will soon become a formidable force in the Western Hemisphere.
