Rajkarran looks to extend lead

Faces keen competition today

By Edison Jefford
Titan Entertainment’s Championship Series overall leader in the professional races, Andy Rajkarran will want to secure his place for the title today, but faces stiff competition from an all-star field in the Second Grass Track Meeting.
Rajkarran heads the point-table in the professional category after a dominant performance at the initial race meeting that was held at Hampton Court on the Essequibo Coast with an amassed total of 32 points from his five events.
However, Rajkarran could face new challenges today with the introduction of some of the top guns to the meet. The championship leader did not face these experienced and notable riders at Hampton Court but he is expected to today.
Titan had disclosed at a meeting last week that they had confirmed, Vassy Barry, Stephen Vieira, Charlie Henry, Daniel Ali, Alvin Balgobin, Terry Da Silva and Team Bartica for a hyped showdown at the new Port Mourant track.
Henry sits behind Rajkarran on 28 points in the pros’ competition with Andy Wong in the third position with 14 points and Bobby Rasul fourth with four points. The addition of the other riders will make this field very interesting.
“Good competition will be expected from those riders who missed the first race. They are to get acquainted to the track,” Titan’s Sheik Yaseen had told Kaieteur Sport ahead of the christening of the newly laid facility for racing.
Port Mourant Turf Club is popularly known for horse racing but its management, through negotiation with the Titan Entertainment, undertook to facilitate the grass track on 20,000 square feet of virgin land in the centre of the horse track.
The investment was made with a view of later hosting international meetings. However, a stiff battle for supremacy is expected as top local riders descend to thrill the Port Mourant community in 12 races that also include choppy events. This newspaper understands that Junior DaSilva, who leads the novices’ category with 28 points, is expected to graduate to the professional group for this event. An informant said that the rider was mulling the transition for today.
Vikash Ramcoomar was second in the novices with 24 points while Raj Rajkarran brings 11 points into the events today for third place. Peter Tulsie is fourth in that group after 10 points from the meeting at Hampton Court.
The race meeting is scheduled to commence at 12noon with professional riders pocketing $10,000 for every first place finish, $7000 for second and $4000 for third. Novices Riders will get $7000, $5000 and $3000 respectively.