Hughes pips Samuel
Jockeys Jalon Samuel and Rasheed Hughes are locked on 13 wins each at the end of the Barbados Turf Club’s first season of racing.
Using the method of higher placings to break the deadlock, Hughes, who has eight second-place finishes to Samuel’s six, can be adjudged to be the leading rider so far. Each started the final day on ten wins and between them they dominated the card.
Hughes’ reward bears testimony to his dedication and the rapid development of his skills. He earned a whopping $204 690 from his 58 mounts and his win percentage stands at 22 per cent.
The freelance rider hit top form in the final three days to score eight wins. His best win was arguably in the Grade II Michael Parravicino Memorial Hopeful Breeders Stakes, aboard George Devere Davis’ Jericho over 1 570 metres.
The last two public holidays saw him at his most lethal. On April 2, Grandstand Posse Raceday, he won four races on Justice League, Awesome Swimmer, Ameash and Infrared.
On Heroes Day, April 28, Hughes shared centre stage with challenger Samuel, as they accounted for six of the eight races on the Barbados Guineas Raceday programme. Javalier, Awesome and Infrared were his winning mounts.
Hughes’ quest to be overall champion jockey this year received a massive boost with the news that Samuel will be jetting off to Canada very shortly.
Last race day Samuel meant business, winning the Classic on Gandalf, along with victories on Inspired Adventure and Celestial Storm.
With earnings of $370 564 from 38 rides and a win percentage of 34, Samuel continues to stamp his class on local racing. It is no secret he likes the champagne events and he has won all the Grade I stakes races so far this year.
Pride of place went to his triumph in the Sandy Lane Barbados Gold Cup astride the Kenneth and Sarah Ramsey-owned Sir Dudley Digges. He also won the Tanglewood Stakes over 2 000 metres, for Mervyn Rollins and Victor Cheeseman, with their colt Northern Star.
Another major triumph was with C. N. Parravicino’s grey filly Celestial Storm in the 1 100 metres Sandy Lane Spa Sprint.
Samuel’s other pattern races were the 1 800 metres Coolmore Home Of Champions Stakes with Northern Star and the 1 570 metres Barbados Guineas astride Bills Inc.’s Gandalf.
Fighting out for third place were the Antonios – Bishop and Perch – who each have five wins. Bishop has three second-place finishes to Perch’s one, to earn the third place.
From 36 rides, Bishop earned $83 345, with a win per cent of 14. Perch raked in $72 770 from his 42 mounts, with a win per cent of 12. (LY)