Champion Bruceontheloose was again defeated yesterday in the feature Grade One Republic Bank Gold Cup over 2,000 metres. It has been three years since the dominant roan has won the event but kudos must be in order for trainer Stephen Jardim for bringing this five-year-old to the boil at the correct time.
Mobthewarrior took the $300,000 first-prize cheque in the $500,000-purse event but in the earlier Juvenile Championship two really good performances were seen. In front of a large holiday crowd at the Santa Rosa Park, Arima, where some $1 million in prize money was up for grabs in the three Grade One races on the card.
The John O'Brien-trained Prince Zeshan showed his class by defeating stablemate War of Words by 1 1/2 lengths in the Republic Online-St James Stakes. The colt recorded the time of 1:22.98 for the 1,350 metres trip.
Always tracking the early leader, Central Square and Big Man, Abrego joined issue at the far turn before assuming command coming to the corner when Central Square had to give way. However, inside the final 200 metres, War of Words and Brian Harding came with a big challenge but the 1-2 favourite stayed on resolutely to win with Big Man stopping the O'Brien 1-2-3 party.
In the Republic Mortgages-St Ann's Stakes over 1,350 metres, the Harold Chadee-trained She's A Cutie lived up to her name with an impressive victory by 1 1/2 lengths from Heidi's Tzippi with Salome back in third and favourite Always A Princess in fourth.
The well backed She's A Cutie was always front ranked under Lionel Ramos, who rode a double on the day's card. She's A Cutie had to turn back the challenge of Safra Tilah from 500 metres out then had enough in the tank to repel the challenge of Heidi Tzippi.
The top filly recorded the time of 1:25.2 for the trip. There was some sadness at Santa Rosa Park as 11-time champion jockey Brian Harding donned racing silks for the last time in his outstanding career. Harding was given a "Guard of Honour" by his fellow riders before his final ride in the Gold Cup when he partnered Secret American.
Training honours for the day went to Harold Chadee, who saddled two winners. Riding honours on Boxing Day was shared between between Abrego and Lionel Ramos, who both rode two winners.
REPUBLIC BANK BOXING DAY RESULTS
R1: REPUBLIC TELEBANKER - WI BRED 3 YO & OVER MAIDENS - 1350M - $43,000
1 (10) Just My Luck S Rodrigo 52.5
2 (6) Stairway To Heaven H Sanchez 51.5
3 (9) Red Cloud N Abrego 56.5
4 (3) Rosie Dream L Ramos 52.0
$1PARI: (10) $7.10; $2.20; (6) $1.40: (9) $1.50
$1EXACTA: $12.80
TRIFECTA: $76.30 SUPERFECTA: $164.60
WINNER: 3 yo. gr.c Burning Marque/Princess K K (Alphabet Soup)
OWNER: U & N Stables TRAINER: T Thomas
BREEDER: Carl Anderson (Jamaica)
ALSO RAN: 5. Red Howler R Hernandez 53.0; 6. Slip Away S Samuel 53.0; 7. Traditional Song P Badrie 49.5; 8. Young Dinaro Y Cristalino 55.0; 9. Le Cheraux Dansur J Arneaud 54.5. NON-RUNNER: (5) Skyzim; (11) Sparkling Silver.
NOTE: Due to technical difficulties, no final time and distances were recorded for this race.
R2: REPUBLIC EQUITY FUND - T&T BRED 2 YO & OVER HORSES RATED 30-0 - 1100M (Turf) - $30,000
1 (2) Game Adzalia R Jadoo 52.5
2 (11) Stroke Of Love B Boodramsing 54.0
3 (12) The Problem Solver S Samuel 54.0
4 (1) Red-Hot-Wheels P Badrie 52.5
TIME: 1:10.1 DISTANCES: Neck, neck, 2 1/4, 3.
$1PARI: (2) $7.70, $3.25; (11) $3.25; (12) $2.80
$1EXACTA: $109.90
TRIFECTA: $627.20 SUPERFECTA: $3,621.50
WINNER: 4 yo. ch.f Big Country/Dealer's Choice (KDanzc)
OWNER: Liam Stables TRAINER: E Miller
BREEDER: Kayam Mohammed
ALSO RAN: 5.The Conqueror R Ali 53.0; 6. Eyes Of The Wolf J Stephen 54.5; 7. Sweet Parang Music N Flavenney 52.5; 8. Love In Tokyo Y Cristalino 54.5; 9.Dazzling Diamond R Hernandez 53.0; 10. Third Time Lucky S Rodrigo 55.0. NON-RUNNER: (3) Queen Esther; (8) Zipitup; (13) Reiko King.
R3: REPUBLIC CORPORATE TISP - 2 YO & OVER HORSES RATED 85 - 65 - 1750M - $48,500
1 (4) Free Passage L Ramos 54.5
2 (8) Tiri Rosso E Ramsammy 56.5
3 (7) Lang Amour N Patrick 54.0
4 (1) Odin B Boodramsing 54.5
TIME: 1:51.4 DISTANCES: 1 1/2, 7, 1/2, 2.
$1PARI: (4) $2.80, $1.30; (8) $1.45; (7) $1.55
$1EXACTA: $6.40
TRIFECTA: $23.20 SUPERFECTA: $208.10
WINNER: 3 yo dk.b.g Image Maker/Select Princess (Natural Selection)
OWNER: Juan A Navarro TRAINER: D Mosca
BREEDER: Neive Graham (Jamaica)
ALSO RAN: 5. Nettoyer B Harding 54.5; 6. Becquerel P Badrie 52.5; 7. Believe It Or Not R Ali 51.5; 8. Officer Ike R Jadoo 53.5; 9. Big Thing K Khelawan 50.0; 10. Chief's Nephew H Sanchez 51.5.
R4: REPUBLIC BANK TISP - 2 YO & OVER HORSES RATED 55- 35 - 1100M (Turf) - $34,400
1 (11) Tennesee Hustler K Khelawan 51.5
2 (7) Midnight Express J Arneaud 54.5
3 (13) Grand Slam S Samuel 54.5
4 (16) Who Is The Problem D Butcher 51.5
5 (3) Painted Buddha Y Cristalino 54.0
TIME: 1:09.0 DISTANCES: 3/4, 2 3/4, Sh Head, 3/4.
$1PARI: (11) $23.10, $4.80; (7) $3.50; (13) $1.90
$1EXACTA: $283.40
TRIFECTA: $1,573.80 HI-5: $41,300.40
WINNER: 2 yo b.f War Marshall/Sunny Del Rey (Slewpy)
OWNER: Harold D Chadee TRAINER: H Chadee
BREEDER: H A M Stables Ltd (Jamaica)
ALSO RAN: 6. Best Defence R Jadoo 52.5; 7. Aztec Gold N Samaroo 53.5; 8. Sea Storm R Ali 53.5; 9. Actin Time P Badrie 56.5; 10. Always Ready D Gopie 53.0; 11. Precise Rule B Boodramsing 56.0; 12. Lady Marisa L Ramos 53.0. NON-RUNNERS: (1) Enigmatic; (4) Prince Shival; (5) Fearghas; (9) Lady Sage.
R5: REPUBLIC ONLINE - ST JAMES STAKES (GR 1 R C & G) - 1350M - $150,000
1 (6) Prince Zeshan N Abrego 55.5
2 (4) War Of Words B Harding 55.0
3 (1) Big Man D Khelawan 55.0
4 (3) Central Square E Ramsammy 55.0
TIME: 1:22.4 DISTANCES: 1 1/2, 4 3/4, 1 3/4, 11 1/2.
$1PARI: (6) $1.60, $1.20; (4) $1.90.
$1EXACTA: $6.30
TRIFECTA: $17.80 SUPERFECTA: $14.20
WINNER: 2yo .b.c He'stherealthing/Bella In Bloom (Royal Minister)
OWNER: Mohali Stables TRAINER: J O'Brien
BREEDER: MarkWates & Susan Wates (Jamaica)
ALSO RAN: 5. Run Ron R Jadoo 55.0; 6. Zorro Y Cristalino 55.0.
R6: REPUBLIC MONEY MARKET FUND - 2 YO & OVER HORSES RATED 45 - 0 - 1350M - $33,000
1 (17) Naughty N Nice E Ramsammy 56.5 (Dead-Heat)
2 (15) Princess Jo Ann B Harding 55.0
3 (8) Classic Material W Galviz 56.5
4 (9) Schylers Gold R Hasranah 51.5
5 (12) Diamond P Badrie 54.5
TIME: 1:23.1 DISTANCES: 2, 1 1/2, 1 3/4, 3 1/2.
$1PARI: (17) $4.00, $1.60; (15) $1.45 ; (8) $1.65.
$1EXACTA: $19.60
TRIFECTA: $70.80 HI-5: $8,068.00
WINNER: 3 yo ch.f Precise Sweep/Joan Of Arc (Freshly Squeezed)
OWNER: David E Ojar TRAINER: D Ojar
BREEDER: David E Ojar
ALSO RAN: 6. Chief Crazyhorse S Gonzalez 56.5; 7. Agra S Samuel 53.5; 8. Zen Master D Butcher 53.5; 9. Zahawi R Hernandez 53.5; 10. Little Otis K Khelawan 50.5; 11. Seal The Deal B Pahal 53.0; 12. Mambo Lady N Samaroo 56.5; 13. Team Connection N Patrick 55.5; 14. Strategic Silence S Rodrigo 52.5. REF: (1) Glittering Gold. NON-RUNNER: (5) Danzig's Day; (6) Bird King; (11) Explorer.
R7: REPUBLIC MORTGAGES - ST ANN'S STAKES - 1350M - $150,000
1 (12) She's A Cutie L Ramos 55.0
2 (10) Heidi's Tzippi P Badrie 55.0
3 (8) Salome S Rodrigo 55.0
4 (1) Always A Princess E Ramsammy 55.0
TIME: 1:25.2 DISTANCES: 1 1/2, 1/2, Sh, 2 3/4.
$1PARI: (12) $8.15, $2.75; (10) $9.80; (8) $10.70
$1EXACTA: $741.40
TRIFECTA: $3,634.70 SUPERFECTA: $7,486.40
WINNER: 2 yo b.f. Western Classic/Delightful Jolie (Jolie's Halo)
OWNER: Harold Chadee TRAINER: H Chadee
BREEDER: Everglades Farm Ltd (Jamaica)
ALSO RAN: 5. Safra Tilah W Galviz 55.0; 6. Black Pepper B Harding 55.0; 7. Lady Felisha N Abrego 55.0; 8. Diamond Queen J Arneaud 55.0; 9. Pearl Secret R Jadoo 55.0; 10. All Is Yours N Patrick 55.0; 11. Big Red D Khelawan 55.5; 12. Star Dreamer K Khelawan 55.0. JF: (14) Settle D Score. NON-RUNNER: (5) Wise Decision.
R8: REPUBLIC VISA TRAVEL MONEY - 2 YO & OVER HORSES RATED 70 - 50- 1200M - $43,000
1 (1) Ten Power R Hasranah 50.0
2 (10) A Great Millennium K Khelawan 50.0
3 (8) Caro's Legacy E Ramsammy 54.5
4 (9) The Right Time S Rodrigo 53.5
5 (13) Roman Anthem P Badrie 53.0
TIME: 1:14.0 DISTANCES: Neck, 3 1/2, 1/2, hd.
$1PARI: (1) $18.60, $2.90; (10) $1.65; (8) $1.45
$1EXACTA: $159.50
TRIFECTA: $977.90 HI-5: $41,1081.20
WINNER: 5 yo gr/rn. h. Buddha/Pleasantly Sweet (Pleasant Colony)
OWNER: Zanim R Meahjohn TRAINER: J W Samaroo
BREEDER: Zanim Ralph Meahjohn
ALSO RAN: 6. Malibu Heights N Patrick 52.5; 7. Mambo Cat R Ali 54.5; 8. Diplomatic Cat D Khelawan 52.5; 9. Luca's Gold L Ramos 56.5; 10. Bears And Bulls W Galviz 55.0; 11. Alexander D Butcher 51.0. REF: (3) Ring The Bell. DNF: (11) Hey Big Fella.
R9: REPUBLIC BANK GOLD CUP - GRADE ONE - 2000M - $500,000
1 (5) Mobthewarrior B Boodramsing 56.0
2 (1) Galveston P Badrie 51.0
3 (13) Strikes Not Spares R Ali 56.0
4 (7) Bruceontheloose N Abrego 56.0
TIME: 2:08.0 DISTANCES: 1 1/4, 1 1/4, 3/4, hd.
$1PARI: (5) $5.65, $1.70; (1) $2.15; (13) $1.65
$1EXACTA: $59.90
TRIFECTA: $144.90 SUPERFECTA: $275.30
WINNER: 5 yo dk.b.g. Mobil/Little Warrior (Woodman)
OWNER: Fredericks Stud Farm Ltd TRAINER: S Jardin
BREEDER: Gustav Schickendanz (Ontario, Canada)
ALSO RAN: 5. Gabby's Gold S Gonzalez 55.0; 6. Readbetweendlines W Galviz 56.0; 7. Youaresobad E Ramsammy 56.0; 8. Buffalo Soldier L Ramos 53.0; 9. Secret American B Harding 55.0. NON-RUNNERS: (2) Boogie Blues; (6) Montejo; (8) King Street; (12) Golden Dixieland.
R10: REPUBLIC MAKE IT HAPPEN LOAN - 2 YO & OVER HORSES RATED 60 - 40- 1200M - $40,000
1 (4) No Just Cause N Abrego 56.5
2 (5) Burst Of Energy L Ramos 56.5
3 (6) Blame It On Me S Gonzalez 55.0
4 (14) Taste Of Texas K Khelawan 53.5
5 (2) Lady Angelica E Ramsammy 54.5
TIME: 1:24.4 DISTANCES: 1 1/4, hd, hd, hd.
$1PARI: (4) $6.80, $1.95; (5) $1.85; (6) $1.80
$1EXACTA: $29.10
TRIFECTA: $113.60 HI-5: $6,944.40
WINNER: 3 yo dk.b.c. Noble Causeway/St Lucia (Capote)
OWNER: Rhanie Mohammed TRAINER: G Mohammed
BREEDER: My Meadowview LLC (Kentucky, USA)
ALSO RAN: 6. Wonderful Whirl N Samaroo 55.5; 7. Super Grey S Rodrigo 54.5; 8. Gold Bead R Hernandez 54.0; 9. Raise Your Glass D Khelawan 54.0; 10. Big Daddy B Boodramsing 55.5; 11. Golden Flight R Ali 56.0; 12. Northern Hills P Badrie 56.5.0; 13. Nandi B Pahal 53.5; 14. Big Boy Jordan W Galviz 56.5.
