Kelvin 'N'
Former Champion trainer Glenn Mendez proved to all and sundry, that he is a master trainer, when he sent out the Merlin Samlalsingh owned Jamaican bred three-year-old Cape Canaveral to win the Carib Brewery Trinidad Derby, yesterday at Santa Rosa Park in Arima.
Sent off at odds of 5-2, Cape Canaveral dashed the hope of General JN and his connection of winning local racing’s ‘Triple Crown’ with an impressive 4 ¼ lengths victory in the time of 2:09.09.
Punters made the Jerry Narace owned General JN the prohibitive favourite based on his form at 2-9 to win the final leg of local racing’s ‘Triple Crown,’ the Carib Brewery Trinidad Derby over 2,000 metres on the main track.
When the starter sent the field on their way for the ‘Run For The Roses’ aloud roar was heard as the horses began their battle for the $300,000 purse. General JN was first to show from Cape Canaveral with River Secret and Streaking Far closeup. These were followed by Warmonger with Blazing Gem no more than four lengths off the leader.
Going down the back the order remained unchanged until at the 800 metres marker, Ricky Jadoo asked Cape Canaveral to join issue with General JN. The two principals pulled three lengths clear of Streaking Far as the other began to toil in their wake.
With 450 metres to race, the crowd roared again to show their approval for what was turning out to a good competitive affair as Ricky Jadoo put Cape Canaveral by a head in front and Kerron Khelawan immediately responded by asking the long-odds-on favourite General JN to go win his race.
The pair separated themselves from the rest of the field and with 200 metres left Ricky Jadoo launched Cape Canaveral by asking the son of Nuclear Wayne blasted away for an impressive victory to maintain his unbeaten record. General JN had to settle for an impressive second place with Oak’s heroine Streaking Far back in third and Warmonger round off the top four.
A teary-eyed Glenn Mendez, the only trainer to land two triple Crown’ successes said afterwards, “ This horse is a super horse. He has come out and outrun the ‘General’ in great style. Ricky Rode a great race and I must thank everyone as this was a team victory.
Ricky Jadoo, 52, became the oldest jockey in T&T to win a derby, he was delighted. He said, “I'm delighted to win my fifth Derby. I remember this was the combination that gave us our first ‘Triple Crown’ champion, Top of The Class. He was always travelling well and when I asked him for his effort he responded brilliantly. He is a very good horse.’
Owner Merlin Samalsingh who has led in four derby winners said, "I was extremely confident today and I told Ricky what to do and he followed the instruction, ‘Track him (General JN) and then leave him."
The Carib Brand-Diamond Stakes the co-feature event over 1,350 metres for Imported 2 Year-Olds and Over and West Indian Bred Three-Year-Olds had turfites and punters on their feet when Rico Hernandez sent Rocket Wheel into a clear three lengths lead coming into the straight.
The Jerry Narace owned/John Leotaud trained filly looked to have it all sewn up until Ronald Ali pulled favourite Princess Suri to the outside to deliver her challenged and the filly devoured the ground to come, catch and then beat Rocket Wheels in a great finish. Nuclear Power stayed on well for third with Pauseforacoors crossed in fourth place.
Princess Suri registered the time of 1:21.97 for her success.
Training honours for the day went to Glenn Mendez who saddled three winners on the ten race card.
Riding honours for the day were shared between Ronald Ali, Derron Khelawan and apprentice Omar Mohammed who all rode two winners each.