One of horse racing’s most popular and supportive groups has stepped up to the plate to host The Grand Stand Posse Race Day, which ushers in the Barbados Turf Club’s sixth day of the first season at the Garrison Savannah tomorrow.
The ten-race card, which has attracted 113 entrants, will swing into full gear from Race 1 at 12:30 p.m. with The Grand Stand Posse Fifth Anniversary Stakes & Trophy Handicap for three-year-olds over 1 570 metres.
Joanne Parravicino and Shaun Meil’s colt Indian Officer, taking 128 pounds, will renew rivalry with his conqueror last race day – A. P. Vincero, which is owned by L. G. Miller III and Susan Miller and is down to carry 120 pounds – with the weight advantage still very much in his favour.
The Parravicino-trained Indian Officer could find the assignment another taxing one.
Martin and Daniel Raizman’s colt Discretwon (114 pounds) has been knocking on the tins for a while and might be ready to lose his maiden tag.
The race with the smallest field on the programme, The Grand Stand Posse Glendon Belle Crystal Vase Handicap over 1 100 metres, looks to be an interesting one.
Two horses at the peak of their form will shoulder the top weight – Golden Moment (133 pounds), and Whataline (132).
Golden Moment, owned by Sir David Seale, won two of her last three starts and may find her heavy weight and the speed of Round Table Stud Farm-owned Whataline a little too much to handle since the latter is at the top of his game and must be caught.
Intact, owned by the Raizman brothers, finally got rid of his maiden tag last race day. At the weight of 124 pounds, he will be required to find plenty more for a repeat success.
Race 6 is The Grand Stand Posse Brian Surfleet Trophy Handicap Division-A over 1 100 metres. This event for three-year-old and older horses rated 38-55 is also open to horses rated 29 and below and should fuel quite a lot of interest.
Stephen Kellman’s Jonny Sad Boy will shoulder 133 pounds but, like Richard Edwards’ colt Verizon and the Stephen Jardine and Reginald Kawaja-owned Domineering, he has not been convincing since his last victory.
The Peter O’Neil-owned Up The Ante (120 pounds), Mr Brain-owned Fernandina and Sir Charles Williams’ Jamaica Quill, both handicapped to carry 128 pounds, along with Just U And Me (110 pounds) all appear very capable of winning.
Division-B of the Grand Stand Posse Brian Surfleet Trophy Handicap contains a lot of speedsters.
Mr Brain’s Between The Sheiks will take 133 pounds but he is the form horse and will give away weight all around.
The A Team-owned Boo (121 pounds) was a hard-fought winner last effort, while Neversaynever (123 pounds), another Richard Deane-trained entrant, scored two starts back.
