Diamonds International Mont Blanc raceday provided race lovers with an exciting day at the Garrison Savannah yesterday.
Perfect racing conditions and ideal weather provided the perfect stage for the juveniles to showcase their abilities.
The first feature race was the Diamonds International Mont Blanc Star Walker Gents Stakes and Trophy Condition race over 1 000 metres for West Indian-bred two-year-old colts and geldings.
The Lord Michael Taylor-owned Must Be The Money scored a comfortable victory in this race. The handsome colt broke on top, but quickly settled into second behind stablemate Vitality for the next 600 metres.
Jockey Jalon Samuel then brought the Anderson Ward-trained colt alongside Vitality, and these two would slug it out to the finish with Must Be The Money getting the edge.
For his efforts, Vitality, with Kyle Carter aboard, was second, giving the Blue Diamonds stable a very pleasing one-two finish.
Sail On, with Keveh Nicholls astride, travelled well the entire trip and got third, while first-timer Verizon, ridden by Jason Leacock, was a commendable fourth.
The Diamonds International Mont Blanc La Boheme Ladies Stakes and Trophy Condition race over 1 000 metres for West Indian-bred two-year-old fillies was equally exciting.
Sir Charles Williams-owned Kendal Moon, with Anderson Trotman up, had a hard-fought victory over Fernandina, ridden by Kyle Carter.
Kendal Moon recovered from a slow start to gain an early lead, and never lost the lead. Her record now stands at two wins from two starts.
Ian Corbin-owned first-timer Foxy Baba, with Renaldo Cumberbatch in the irons, was third behind Fernandina, while The Milk Maid – with Jonathon Grant – was fourth.
The Diamonds International Mont Blanc Meisterstuck Handicap for three-year-old and older horses rated 0 to 140 over 1 800 metres was another thriller.
Some fans got an early Christmas gift, and no, there was no appearance from Santa Claus – just a victory for their favourite racehorse Apostle, who sounded a serious warning to all those wanting to be champion horse.
The Andrew Nunes-trained colt left the gate like the Concorde and never looked back, eventually stopping the clock in one minute, 54.4/5 seconds.
The futile chasers led by Show Me The Money included Zoom, Duck The Fur, Spicey Tiger, Mingun Temple, Bipin, Proud Bajan, Walk On By, Bram Stoker and John Brian. None of them offered a challenge as Apostle galloped home with jockey Chris Husbands as a mere passenger along for the victory.
Stable jockey Jalon Samuel, in his quest for the jockeys’ championship, took over the lead from Anderson Trotman and is now leading by one win.
The third season continues next Saturday with the second leg of the Diamond International Mont Blanc Challenge Series.
