Zelik creates major upset to take Tipple crown honours at RCMTC

Jul 19, 2011 Sports

Royal Champion, Dubai Duchess, Red Cloud and The Bailiff impressive

By Samuel Whyte

Zelik of the Night Eyes Racing Stable of Bush Lot West Coast Berbice and owned by Miss Lisa Ramkissoon ran the race of its life to upstage a star studded field and claimed it’s first victory in the feature B and Lower event and take top honours when the Ryan Crawford Memorial Turf Club and Sports Facilities successfully held the first of its Tipple Crown Horse racing meetings at the Club’s Entity Alness Village Corentyne last Sunday.
A large field of 11 animals took to the starting gates which included The Message, Champtress, Miss Republic, Night Crescendo, Delmur Gold, Miss Orientate and Pinch the Cash among others. As the animals left the starting gates the lead changed as Zelik ridden by Jockey Prem Chandra was well positioned throughout the race, taking the lead periodically. Into the homestretch the animals were in a bunch and it was still anybody’s race, but as the animals cantered for home it was Zelik that showed superior power to take the whopping $1,000,000 and trophy up for grabs compliments of Beverage giants Ansa McAl Guyana Limited over 1700M. Miss Orientate finished second with Pinch the Cash Third while The Message had to settle for fourth.
Dubai Duchess of the Sheriff stable with Yap Drepaul on the perch won from an impressive field in the day’s opening event for F class animals. Dutchess for its win took away the $500,000 and the Ponai Tickaram trophy in the1200M event in a close battle with Momzele and Miracle Run both of the Elcock stable.
Face the Fire, running out the Fazil Yunas Stable with Nascimento in control and trained by Ivan Dipnarine, was too hot to handle as it took away the Three year old 1600M event for West Indies Bred horses. The animal generated enough heat down the homestretch as Gold Plated, Captain Cook and Technology wilted under the heat. Pre-race favourite Irish Girl finished down the order. The win was worth $500,000 and trophy compliments of Caricom Insurance and Metro Office supplies.
Red Cloud, running out of The Asrafalli stable, was on fire as it soared to victory in the Two year old West Indies Bred 1100M event with a devastating run down the homestretch. Running it’s first race and ridden by Nascimento, the animal upstaged the field to capture the $450,000 Delmur Shipping Company first prize and the Norman Singh Memorial trophy. Princess Haya, Serenity and Rosetta finished down the order.
The three Year old 1600M event for Guyana Bred horses produced a major upset as Princess Renukha of the Arjune stable with Sancho on the mount whipped pre-race favourite Wicked Intention, for the $400,000 winning purse and the Glendon Miller memorial trophy. Silent Night and JD Junior rounded out the money. Top runner Super Cat failed to start the race.
The Bailiff of The Habibulla stable ridden by Appadu seized the G class 1600M event in a close race with Celebration Time as Prado’s Gold and Pegasus Rising rounded out the podium. The Bailiff took away $400,000 compliments of GT&T and Romel Jagroop and the Roopnauth Sensankar trophy.
Having a Nice Time from the N Persaud Stable and ridden by Crandon had its way as the racehorse took to the track for the first time and won in the Two Year old Guyana Bred 950M event and $400,000 first prize along with the Gun Henry Memorial trophy from News Time and Watch My Shadow.
Royal Champion took championship honours with two telling victories in the H class event compliments of Cummings Electrical and the Rawle Williams trophy and I class races compliments of Senior Council Marcel Crawford in memory of his wife Lillian Crawford.
Own trained and ridden by Rupert Ramnauth, Royal Champion, back after a long lay off due to injuries was in a no nonsense mood as it retained its Royalty with two victories.
First it took care of business in I class 1400M event with victory over Mona Lisa 11, Extra Heat and Savion and then returned to win the H class race from Dream Girl, Pixie Fire and Zebra. The wins were worth $180,000 and $300,000 respectively.
There was some uncertainty in the JKL 1400M event which was won by Royal Intention from War Time and Great Prospect for the $150,000 first prize and the Hookumchand Trophy.
It was however learnt that Royal Intention ran out of its class. A decision is to be made.
Jockeys Ramnauth and Nascimento finished with two wins each, while Royal Champion was adjudged champion horse for its two wins and Ramnauth champion trainer. They received accolades compliments of Hookumchand, Fazal Habibulla, the Trophy Stall and the RCMTC&SF.
Despite the inclement weather the RCMTC&SF lived up to it reputation as one of the better tracks in Guyana. The track stood firm and there were no sign of water and no spillage. Over 95 horses took part in the day’s activity where a whopping $7M in cash and trophies were up for grabs.