In the absence of immediate confirmed research and therefore writing from memory of six and half decades of Caymanas racing, leading rider Tevin Foster is now the second member of a formerly exclusive club when he was penalized by having two winning mounts disqualified on the same day.
The date is not confirmed but a young Shane Ellis, who became champion twice, suffered a similar fate and is now not the only one to have acquired this dubious status.
Foster’s mount, Princess Fianie (5-1) in race one over 1500 metres, a maiden event restricted to three-year-olds, led and passed the post two and a half lengths ahead but was relegated to fourth. The major slice of the purse money was subsequently awarded to 5-2 bet Kaylyn Melody (Robert Halledeen) saddled by Robert Pearson.
The disqualification from first of Anchorman (11-1) in race five, run at 1,000 metres straight, was of Foster’s own making as there was clear intimidation of and interference with one of his rivals. This elevated second past the post Power Of Faith (9-5) trained by Donovan Plummer to first. The mare was partnered by Jerome Innis for the first of a rare riding double.
In race one, Foster’s misfortune was not entirely his fault. A review of the race suggests that in the absence of the protective dummy rails for the opening at the 1400-metre pole, Princess Fianie went left in an attempt to enter the space and got into the path of third-placed Immeasurable Joy (2-5) ridden by Raddesh Roman.
What is interesting is the fact that it was Roman’s objection that triggered the fatal Steward’s Inquiry. This is quite surprising, as initially the officials may have thought the incident not to be sufficiently serious to inquire and reverse the placings.
Speaking of rarity there were two visits to the winners’ enclosure by conditioner Gary Griffiths. Firstly, Brinks (8-1), ridden by Oshane Nugent won the day’s second over the 1000 metres round course.
Then secondly, the trainer was able to confirm in tandem with Jerome Innis his double success with El Afortunado (2-1). This winner was in front early and held the lead gamely to score by just over length in the 1000-metre straight eighth race.
Title-pursuing reinsman Raddesh Roman rode MPRS Links (4-5) to a near five length margin in the 1600-metre third for trainer Barrington Bernard.
Then for a double he was at his best aboard 2021 Horse-Of-The-Year Further And Beyond (5-1) in the run for the featured renewal of the Seeking My Dream Trophy over 1600 metres and staged as the seventh.
Saddled by Donovan Hutchinson, the five-year-old chestnut horse got the benefit of a planned tactical judgement of pace on Roman’s part to lead close home for a victory margin of three parts of a length.
Champion Reyan Lewis had a simple task to guide 1-5 favourite Another Wave to score over the 800 metres straight of the fourth event for trainer Adrian Prince.
Four-kilo claimer Richard Byrd enjoyed his ride aboard 74-1 bet Master of Hall to win the 1400-metre race six for trainer Michael Thomas.
In the nightcap, run at 1400 metres, it was hard-knocking 22-race maiden Veliki Vicki (5-2) coming home over seven lengths clear of nearest rival for owner/trainer Ricardo Brown with Roderick DaCosta at the reins.
