TWO members of the Trinidad and Tobago team for the Special Olympics in Ireland who were recently denied United States visas, need $6,500 to join the rest of their colleagues.

According to Public Relations Officer June Xavier yesterday the duo, a volleyballer and the other representing football were seeking the additional money to make up the difference in airfare so their family could travel to Dublin via Antigua instead. She said Special Olympics Trinidad and Tobago are appealing to corporate citizens to step up and help the two broken hearted special Olympians. Also travelling with the Trinidad and Tobago contingent were members of the Lady Hochoy Home Music Makers Steel Orchestra who were specially invited to give performances in Ireland. Contributors can contact SOTT chairman Patrick Rouse at 675-9063 (Ext 315) or 675-9119; Martia Turpin 674-0130 (Ext 4032); June Xavier 642-2430 (Ext 251) or Randal Halfhide 622-7757.

VELEZUELAN jockey Carlos Marquez is coming to ride on CLICO Midsummer Classic Day.

And ex-national champion rider Brian Harding will be returning from Jamaica for the Labour Day, Friday, 10-race programme at Santa Rosa Park, Arima. Marquez will be astride Hot Way in the day’s opening CLICO Family of Mutual Funds Trophy event over 1200 metres. He will  also ride Full Of Promises in the third race Fantastic Lad in the sixth and Lovely Honoree in the curtain event. These announcements were made at yesterday’s press launch of the rich CLICO Midsummer Classic, the second jewel on the local triple crown which carries a purse of $125,000 at the Hilton Trinidad Hotel. And there will be many special giveaways to turfites on the day, courtesy sponsors Colonial Life Insurance Company (Trinidad) Limited. The apprentice adjudged to have ridden the besty race of the day will receive $500 courtesy Emmanuel C Lawrence Division of CLICO. New Arima Race Club president Gerard Ferreira thanked the sponsors for the entertainment they have projected for Friday’s Labour Day racing, which he said will encourage families to attend the races.

Ferreira expressed the hope there will be more partnerships like that betweeen the ARC and CLICO which could only bode well for racing. At yesterday’s draw for post positions for the “big race,” pre-race favourite Top Of The Class drew #6 right alongside his Glenn Mendez-trained stablemate Celebration Time #7. The other Mendez-handled horse in the 1900 metres race, Sweet Tempo drew position #12. And in the Santa Rosa Dash over 1200 metres worth a total of $75,000, “big noise” Sugar Mike drew the outside position in the five-horse field. Speedster Song Of Freedom, one of three entrants trained by young handler Grant Lourenco, will leave from starting stall #1 with his other runner Invincibility coming out of the #4 stall.

Here is the full draw for the two “big races” on Labour Day:
SANTA ROSA DASH HANDICAP — 1200 METRES — 1. Song Of Freedom; 2. Tactical Bid; 3. Fortunate Flag; 4. Invincibility; 5. Sugar Mike.
CLICO MIDSUMMER CLASSIC — 1900 METRES — 1. Super Grey; 2. Sir Vidia; 3. Wild Life; 4. Due Dilligence; 5. Loud Music; 6. Top Of The Class; 7. Celebrartion Time; 8. Hannibal’s Will; 9. Cornerstone; 10. Isle Be There; 11. Royal Flush; 12. Sweet Tempo; 13. Naturelly Classy.

SWEET TEMPO sparkled in a 600 metres gallop at Santa Rosa Park, Arima, yesterday, giving notice she will not be easily beaten in Labour Day’s feature CLICO Midsummer Classic.

The daughter of Freshly Squeezed/Up Tempo skipped along the sand course made wet/firm by overnight rains in 36.1 seconds, and will give trainer Glenn Mendez a potent three-prong hand in the event worth $75,000 to the winning owner. Mendez will saddle the highly fancied Top Of The Class, Celebration Time and Sweet Tempo in the 13-horse field.

Here are the gallops recorded yesterday:

400 METRES:  COPY CAT  – 25.7; ERIN DANCER – 26.2;  NEVER EVER WORRIE – 29.9; RING DANG DO – 29.9; SMOOTH OPERATOR – 28.5;  ULA – 29.9.
600 METRES:  ALIBI IKI – 36.1; GOLDEN BOY – 39.3; LOVELY PEARL – 44.9; MANDELA – 40.4; SWEET LAURA LEE – 44.5; SWEET TEMPO – 36.1; VAQUEIRO – 37.2; WHAT LEFT – 37.1; MISS LAURA LEE – 43.5;  SPEEDFUHSO – 43.9.
800 METRES: A FIRM RELIEF – 50.0.
1000 METRES: CELEBRATION TIME – 1:11.4; I’M NO HUNTER – 1:12.0; MILLENIUM DANCER – 1:08.8; SUNNY – 1:11.6.

TOP jockey Brian Harding will have seven mounts on Friday’s Arima Race Club 10-race programme.

The day’s racing will go ahead although owners have not received a stake money won since May 17, the date the then Betting Levy Board expired and despite a new board being appointed. According to information from BLB office yesterday, members of the new board are yet to receive their instruments of appointment so subvention cheques to assist the ARC to pay stake money cannot be signed. There was only one change to the past BLB, with Maniram “Boboy” Maharaj replacing Gaston Benjamin. The 11-member BLB comprise chairman Roop Chan Chadeesingh, Maniram Maharaj, Dr Roger d’Abadie, Dr Ryan Shim, Francis Joseph, Peter Wharton, Roland Kowlessar, Keane Govia, Allen Trestrail, Tyron Kowlessar and lone woman Wilma Primus.

Meanwhile, here are the entries, weights and jockeys for the 10-races:

RACE 1: (`12.15 PM) – CLICO FAMILY OF MUTUAL FUNDS TROPHY – 3 Y.O. & OVER OPTIONAL CLAIMING – 1200 METRES – PURSE: $14,000 – 1. Hot Way 50.5 C Marquez; 2. Lovely Pearl 50.5 R Jadoo; 3. Erin Dancer 50.5 R Thomas; 4. Badpayjamesee 55.5 S Rodrigo; 5. Brandy 45.5 W Bharath; 6. Touch Wood 55.5 B Harding; 7. El Borracho 51.5 L Keizer; 8. Vaqueiro 50.5 K Jadoo.
RACE 2: (12,45 PM) – CLICO TERM TO AGE 65 TROPHY – 1600 METRES (TURF) – PURSE: $23,000 – 1. Ring Dang Do 48.5 R Freeman; 2. Mandela 55.5 N. Samaroo; 3. Morgan Heritage 56.5 S Rodrigo ; 4. Carnival Messiah 51.5 R Jadoo; 5. Bazodee 49.5 L Keizer; 6. In Swinger 54.5 B Harding; 7. Canaima 53.5 W Bharath.
RACE 3: (1:20 PM) – CLICO LIFE TIME ADVANTAGE TROPHY HANDICAP – W.I. BRED 3 Y.O. WINNERS & W.I. BRED 4 Y.O. & OVER – 1200 METRES – PURSE: $18,000 – 1. Hyarima 52 F Razack; 2. What Left 51.5 W Galviz; 3. Undisputed 54 Emamalie; 4. Full of Promises 51 C Marquez; 5. Sunny 53.5 S Rodrigo; 6. A Firm Relief 54 J Arneaud; 7. Peace Consort 55 R Chadee; 8. Beautiful Mind 56.5 N. Samaroo; 9. Sweet Laura Lee 49.5 L Keizer.
RACE 4: (1:55 PM) – CLICO EXECUTIVE FLEXIBLE PREMIUM ANNUITY TROPHY – 3 Y.O. & OVER OPTIONAL CLAIMING – 1100 METRES (TURF) – PURSE: $17,000. 1. Sea Spider 51.5 B Harding; 2. Life In Russian 50.5 F Razack; 3. Entertainer 51.5 N. Abrego; 4. Nando 53.5 R Persad; 5. Ruby Rich 50.5 S Rodrigo; 6. Politics 44.5 R Jadoo; 7. I’m No Hunter 43.5 L Keizer; 8. Smooth Operator 57.5 R Rajkumar; 9. Outburst 45.5 R Mangalee; 10. Showmethemoney 53.5 H Emamalie.
RACE 5: (2:32 PM) – CLICO LIFE CHOICES TROPHY – W.I. BRED 3 Y.O. MAIDENS – 1200 METRES – PURSE: $20,000 – 1. Joan Of Arc 50.5 N Abrego; 2. Never Ever Worrie 52.5 R Freeman; 3. Cheerleader 54.5 L. Munoz; 4. Miss Emma 49.5 W Bharath; 5. Mary Magdalene 51.5 F Razack; 6. Gaucho 44.5 R Charles; 7. Copoy Cat 46.5 R Rajkumar; 8. Creme Caramel 44.5 G Laban; 9. My Aphrodite 51.5 H Emamalie; 10. Twist ‘N’ Turn 44.5 S Rodrigo; 11. Iron Will 51.5 R Thomas; 12. Principle 51.5 K. Bissoon; 13. Trying Something 56.5 J Arneaud.
RACE 6: (3:10 PM) – CLICO LIFE CHOICES TROPHY – W.I. BRED 3 Y.O. MAIDENS -1200 METRES – 1. First Time 50.5 R Persad; 2. Panama Canal 56.5 R Badal; 3. Peace Of Mind 52.5 B Harding; 4. Small Axe 44.5 K. Bissoon; 5. Classy Kim 50.5 R Jadoo; 6. Desert Rose 50.5 V Charles; 7. Fantaastic Lad 46.5 C Marquez; 8. Dare To Dream 53.5 D Gaff; 9. Baggy Green 55.5 N Samaroo; 10. You’ve Got Mail 56.5 S Rodrigo; 11. Running Trick 52.5 F Razack; 12. Van Nistelrooy 52.5 L Keizer.
RACE 7: (3.48 PM) – CLICO SINGLE PREMIUM IMMEDIATE ANNUITY TROPHY – 3 Y.O. & OVER OPTIONAL CLAIMING – 1`100 METRES (TURF) – PURSE: $15,000 – 1. V For Victory 54.5 D Gaff; 2. Redoubled 53.5 F Razack; 3. Bonus Point 52.5 R Jadoo; 4. Alibi Iki 50.5 G Laban; 5. Kent’s Delight 50.5 R Thomas; 6. Cold Risk 44.5 R Badal; 7. Lazar Wolf 53.5 L Munoz; 8. Lantern Lady 50.5 L. Keizer; 9. Living In Hope 54.5 B Harding; 10. Guardian Angel 49.5 W Galviz.
RACE 8: (4.23 PM) – SAANTA ROSA DASH (GRADE 2) HANDICAP – 1200 METRES – PURSE: $75,000 – 1. Song of Freedom 53.5 R Jadoo; 2. Tactical Bid 47.5 R Thomas; 3. Fortunate Fl;ag 49 W Galviz; 4. Invincibility 52.5 H Emamalie; 5. Sugar Mike 56.5 N Abrego.
RACE 9: (5.03 PM) – CLICO MIDSUMMER CLASSIC – W.I. BRED 3 Y.O. – 1900 METRES – PURSE: $125,000 – 1. Super Grey 55 B Harding; 2. Sir Vidia 55 K Bissoon; 3. Wild Life 53 L Keizer; 4. Due Dilligence 55 L Munoz; 5. Loud Music 55 R Rajkumar; 6 Top Of The Class 55 R Jadoo; 7. Celebration Time 55 H Emamalie; 8. Hannibal’s Will 55 J Arneaud; 9. Cornerstone 53 N Abnrego; 10. Isle Be There 55 W Galviz; 11. Royal Flush 55 R Persad; 12. Sweet Tempo 53 N. Samaroo; 13. Naturelly Classy 55 S Rodrigo.
RACE 10: (5.40 PM) – CLICO T&T INTERNATIONAL MARATHON TROPHY – STARTER ALLOWANCE – 1300 METRES – PURSE: 20,000 – 1. Bite De Bullet 55.5 S Rodrigo; 2. Red Hill 55.5 N Abrego; 3. Squeezed Moment 53.5 R Jadoo; 4. Piece Of Cake 56.5 B Harding; 5. Miss Laura Lee 54.5 N Samaroo; 6. Lovely Honoree 49.5 C Marquez; 7. Isle Be True 54.5 H Emamalie; 8. Gold Conveynor 51.5 L Munoz; 9. Maid Of Honour 54.5 W Galviz; 10. Squee Zintru 55.5 G Laban; 11. Game High 55.5 R Rajkumar.

Veteran Vincentian administrator Lennox John says he is not part of any team with Trinidadian Willie Rodriguez in next month’s elections simply to fill the two top positions at the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB).

In an interview here at the weekend, John made it clear his priority in accepting the nomination to vie for the post of vice-president of the WICB in the July 12-13 elections in Dominica, is to provide the Windward Islands with a bigger voice in Caribbean cricket. “I am really going to it so that I can strengthen the case for the smaller countries in the Windward Islands. It may sound insular but I think you need to have the voice of the Windward Islands at the level of the executive at West Indies cricket. That is one of my main tasks,” John said.“There is a lot of decision-making that goes on at the level of the executive that we have not been involved in and I think I would like to see the Windward Islands more involved in decision-making at that level,” added John.

John, who is president of the Windward Islands Cricket Board of Control (WICBC), has been a WICB representative for two decades but believes there is a need for greater representation among the Eastern Caribbean countries. “It could well be that we should’ve had a constitution which expanded the executive to a representative from each territory because most of the decisions in recent times seems to be have taken at the level of the executive,” John contended. John will be seeking to oust incumbent Val Banks of Anguilla from the post of vice-president while Guyanese businessman Chetram Singh and Trinidadian Rodriguez have been nominated to replace out-going president, Reverend Wes Hall, who is not seeking re-election because of health considerations. “I think what we are having here today is unique to West Indies cricket. I have no manifesto or anything like that. I accepted this nomination just two days ago. It is nothing that I was planning about, that I was going to be running for the vice-president because I am dissatisfied with this and I think I can do this.

“I don’t consider myself even to be running as a team. I have not had any discussions with Willie Rodriquez. I was approached by the Jamaicans to run for the post. I put it to my board and they  said yes, you should run,” John said as he gave the background to his throwing his hat in the vice-presidency race. “My Board was very keen for me to run because of the same reason that we need to have some representation at a higher level of West Indies cricket. I haven’t sat down and said, I am not happy with the vice-president of West Indies cricket and I want to run and go in there to make a bigger contribution. “It hasn’t come to that level yet. I am only running because of the simple reason that we feel we would like a bigger voice at West Indies cricket,” John reiterated. “That’s what my board has advised me. When the nominations came out, I had to apprise them of what the nominations were. The Jamaicans particularly said that they would like to nominate me and I have the acquiescence of my own fellow board member (Walter St John) and the rest of the Windwards Board. “They thought that it was a very good idea and that I should present myself as a candidate. I have their support. Personally, it’s nothing that I was aspiring to or anything. It is just that it has fallen on me and I have taken up the challenge on their behalf,” John remarked.

Member of Parliament for Chaguanas, Manohar Ramsaran has extended his support for Willie Rodriguez in his bid for the presidency of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB).

In a media release yesterday, Ramsaran, a keen club cricketer gave testament to Rodriguez’ vision and co-operative attitude and listed these as favourable credentials for the leadership of the regional cricket organisation. The release stated:As former Min-ister of Sport I extend my support to Mr. Willie Rodriguez as chairman of the WICB.  “As the Member of Parliament for Chaguanas I wish to say that Mr. Rodriguez has at one time excelled in playing cricket for Trinidad and Tobago and for the West Indies. “Since Mr. Rodriguez took over the helm of Queen’s Park Cricket Club he has been responsible for expansion of the Oval. “When I was the Minister of Sports Mr. Rodriguez was very co-operative in handling even football matches at the Oval venue. I think TT should be proud of Mr. Rodriguez as he will make a successful President. “I ask the TT Cricket Board of Control to please support Mr Rodriguez in his bid and I hope that the cricket administration will see the wisdom in supporting him. I congratulate Mr Rodriguez once more for putting his name in the hat.”

TRINIDAD and Tobago will be represented by a mixture of youth and experience in the inaugural Copa de las Americas golf tournament.

The tournament, from June 25 to 28 will showcase the best talent in the region and participants from at least 24 countries from Canada to Chile and the Caribbean have already confirmed their participation. The competition, a prelude to the Caribbean Amateur Championships, will be contested over 72 holes at the Westin Rio Mar Resort and Golf Club in Puerto Rico. The players selected to represent TT are Carlos “Sexy” Baynes, Shane Costolloe, Maria Nunes and Diana Torry. They were selected based on their performances during the past year. Baynes, a Tobagonian is TT’s most experienced amateur golfer while Costolloe, a member of the national junior team for the upcoming regional championship is atop the current men’s rankings.

Nunes, a former world junior champion and Torry, also on the junior team for the Caribbean Junior Championships in Freeport, Bahamas finished tied for first on the women’s rankings. They hold the distinction of being the first women’s team to represent TT at the Copa de las Americas level. The team leaves for Puerto Rico on June 23, hours after competing the final trial to select the national senior team for the Caribbean Amateur Championships to be staged in Tobago from August 3 to 10. According to Nunes, curently the general manager of the St Andrew’s Golf Club at Moka Maraval, the Westin Rio Mar Beach Resort has both an Ocean Course and a River Course. The Ocean course was designed by George Tom Fazio while Australian Greg Norman designed the River Course. Both courses will provide a stern test for the TT golfers, said Nunes. The field is a very competitive one led by the Americans who have included four former national champions in their line-up.

The US will be led by Ricky Barnes, defending US campion along with Ryan Moore, USGA Public Links title-holder. The women’s team comprise Becky Lucidi and Kathy Hartwiger, their women and mid-amateur champions respectively. Apart from the on-course action, delegates form the participating countries will also meet to formalise the Americas Golf Federation whose aim is to promote and conserve the best interests and true spirit of the game. The event will also serve as a warm-up for next year’s World Amateur Team Championships also carded for Puerto Rico. Confirming their participation in the Copa de las Americas tournament are: Argentina, Bahamas, Barbados, Brazil, Canada, Cayman Islands, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Jamaica, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Trinidad and Tobago, United States of America, US Virgin Islands, Uruguay and Venezuela.

WASA Clean and White begin the defence of their Eastern Football Association Arthur “Jap” Brown Super League title against Athletico Sports Institute at Aranguez Savannah on Saturday when the 2003 season kicks off.

FA Trophy winners TSTT will start against Lair Falcon Crest at Valsayn Ground same day. This year the EFA have decided to drop the two-conference system and instead the action will be contested over two rounds involving all 14 teams. Originally the first round of the league was scheduled to kick off on June 7,  but because of a hiccup, the action will begin with third round matches. First round scheduled matches will be contested on June 25 instead, while second round fixtures will be played on July 2. Only one new club has joined the league this season. They are  Hearty Food Bulls. The FA Trophy series this season will be sponsored by Lucky Bakery, and there will also be the League Cup and President’s Cup competitions. Youth action will begin on July 5 in four age-groups Under-13; Under-15; Under-17 and Under-20.

First day fixtures: Joe Public vs BM Spurs, at Tacarigua; East/West Coaching School vs Maloney Two Touch, at Constantine Park; Athletico Sports Institute vs WASA Clean and White, at Aranguez; Delta Glass Young Hearts vs Samba Xtra Malta East San Juan United, at Boundary Road; TSTT vs Lair Falcon Crest, at Valsayn; Hearty Food Bulls vs Carib FC, at Arima Municipal Stadium; Crab Connection vs Police, at San Juan Secondary ground. All matches kick off at 4.15 pm.
 

 

TWO headed goals by Keon Davis led champions St Clair’s Coaching School to a comfortable 3-1 victory over Pepsi FA Cup winners 1976 FC Phoenix XS when the Tobago Football Association Warner’s Group of Companies Semi-Professional Football League got underway on Sunday.

Tobago House of Assembly Chief Secretary Orville London addressed the 23 teams following a colourful march past, together with Minister of Public Utilities and the Environment Rennie Dumas. They then both kicked off the ball to start the match at the Dwight Yorke Stadium, Bacolet, Tobago. Victory gave the two-time champions the Harvey Jack Rentals Charity Shield and sounded a warning to all-comers that they are going for a three-peat.

Phoenix stunned their rivals with an own goal in the 26th minute, when while attempting to clear a corner kick, defender Ronnel Grant put the ball past his goalkeeper Cleve Gray. But Davis headed in the equaliser in the 35th following a corner from the right. His second headed goal on the stroke of half-time gave Coaching School the lead which they never surrendered. Kirch Spencer dispelled any hope Phoenix were having of a fightback when he hit a powerful shot from 25-metres out past the goalkeeper for the final scoreline. Proceeds of Sunday’s opener watched by a fair crowd will go to a charity to be decided.