The best of the Caribbean jockeys reigned supreme on Saturday in the clash which saw the United Kingdom versus the Caribbean jockeys Challenge which was held at Santa Rosa Park in Arima, Trinidad and Tobago.
The regional side consisting of Barbadians Anderson Trotman and Rickey Walcott, Jamaicans Shane Ellis and Omar Walker and the host team of Trinidadians Brian Boodramsingh and Ron Ali defeated their high-profile guests 83 points to 51.
Captain Lanfranco “Frankie” Dettori and his cast of Kieren Fallon, Seb Sanders, Tom Queally, Jimmy Fortune and Jamie Spencer were forced to play catch-up from the first Jockeys’ Challenge race for two-year-old and over horses rated 70-55 over 1 500 metres on the turf.
There jockey Ron Ali piloted home S.I.R Stables-owned Kodo at odds of 9/1. Jamaican pilot Omar Walker chipped in for the home side finishing fourth astride Caro’s Legacy. Challenge race No. 2, the day’s sixth was for two-year old and over horses rated 55-40 sprinting 1 300 metres.
That result saw the Caribbean riders turning up the heat on the visitors thanks to a Brian Boodramsingh special aboard Hurash Hest International-owned Big Profit also at odds of 9/1. Barbadian pilot Rickey Walcott astride Convoy took the second place with Omar Walker aboard Just Honest helping to secure the top three places for the regional side.
This left the British side trailing and needing a clean sweep of the top six positions in the final challenge Race No.3, the afternoon’s eighth, in order to give them an opportunity of snatching another victory on Caribbean soil; however, the task proved beyond the star studded British cast.
Tom Queally looked good entering the home stretch astride even money favourite Thisonesforron leading by three lengths. However Jamaican journeyman Shane Ellis had other ideas as he stormed home aboard the David Ojar-owned and trained Lang Amour at the handsome odds of 16/1.
Barbadian Trotman finished third aboard the 4/1 chance Bergeron Rodeo in the race for two-year-old and over horses rated 70 and over travelling a distance of 1 750 metres. Fourth place in that event went to Brian Boodramsingh astride Secret American.
Without a doubt the biggest name to ride in the Caribbean for quite some time, Lanfranco Dettori failed to ride a winner in either of his two Jockeys’ Challenge appearances in Barbados and in Trinidad and Tobago; however, it was appropriate that everyone knew the big man “Frankie” was in town.
Anyone unaware of the abovementioned star received adequate proof in the Grade I-feature race the TT $200 000 Caribbean Champion Stakes for West Indian bred three-year-old and over 1 800 metres.
In that event the highly touted Princess Popstar popped into the lead until Frankie aboard Bigman In Town proceeded to the finish line unchallenged in track record time of 1:51 flat, with only 10 ¾ lengths separating him from the second horse past the post. The day was then given a Frankie signature – the flying dismount to loud applause.
