Caribbean News Now!

Action on the track during Sunday’s meet in Nevis

By Curtis Morton
Caribbean News Now contributor

CHARLESTOWN, Nevis -- Hundreds of patrons turned up at the Indian Castle race track in Nevis on Sunday to witness what was unofficially dubbed the ‘Tourism Horse Race Meet.’

Police officers had their hands full as they worked overtime in intermittent rain to ensure that a tight parking arrangement was maintained.

There were five races on the card and the fans were not to be disappointed.

In race one, Dashing Dale dashed around the track to beat the competition to the finish line.

Race number two was undoubtedly the race of the day, as Gottogetarythym and Lady Pleasure stormed past the finish line in a dead heat. Chief Steward Griffin and the other officials called it right but the camera replays later confirmed that Gottogetarythym had won by a nose!

Race three was dominated by Shake N Shay, ridden by Brem Liburd, and the crowd was visibly anxious as they awaited race number four, the featured race of the day.

A very excited Allister Thompson of the Low Ground stables could barely contain himself on the microphone as Mr Big Pepe prepared to journey into uncharted waters, not having run the six furlongs distance before. However, he and trainer ‘Hawk’ were openly confident that the horse that had won nine consecutive races to date would take the trophy.

Watched close up by the cheering crowd, which included Minister of Tourism and Sports, Mark Brantley, and the junior minister in the Ministry of Communications, Troy Liburd, Mr Big Pepe was cruising in third as they approached the final incline.

As they turned the final curve, Brem Liburd touched lightly with the whip and the indomitable Mr Big Pepe pulled away from the pack, much to the jubilation of the growing fan club.

Allister Thompson proceeded to celebrate with some gymnastics to the strains of King Konris’s “By De Breath”.

Race number five was rather anticlimactic for more than one reason. It was run in virtual darkness and the jockeys got off after a much delayed start, with one horse remaining at a standstill, with the flags still upraised. Lady Boss passed the finish line well ahead of Hawley’s Wild Fire.

The big question is was it a legitimate race.

Chief Steward Griffin later indicated that the matter will be discussed with the Nevis Turf and Jockey Club executive in order to determine the legitimacy of the race, as he noted that he had given instructions for the race to proceed. He was therefore shocked that the flags had remained airborne.

The summarized race results:

Race One:
Dashing Dale
Grey Ghost
Showtime

Race two:
Gottogetarythym
Lady Pleasure
Princess Melodys

Race Three:
Shake N Shay
Rosman
Sheik Sung

Race Four:
Mr Big Pepe
Real Aspectations
Wild Candy

Race Five
(To be determined)

The next meet has been set for April 1.

Reads: 1831


Tweet