Leading rider of the 2019 local racing season Brian Boodramsing showed why he is at the top of the standing when he literally opened the gates on favourite Early Bird on Saturday en-route to winning the feature event over 1,200 metres on the main track at Santa Rosa Park, Arima.
The John O'Brien trained three-year-old gelding was sent off as the 3-2 favourite for the Modified Benchmark Handicap for Horses Rated 80-60. Early Bird gave his backer no anxious moments in recording his seventh career win from 13 starts, and his fourth for the 2019 season. He has joined Regal Intension as the winningest horse so far this season.
When the starter sent the eight-horse field on their way, Early Bird poached a length lead on Skylar, with American Dillon and Princess Sophia in close contention. These were followed by Desert Dancer, Onefortheroad, Magical Victory and Divine Intervention which was contented to observe from the rear.
After 200 metres Ricky Jadoo and Skylar joined Early Bird at the head of affairs and the pair pulled some four lengths clear of Princess Sophia and American Dillon with Desert Dancer still in the fifth position.
At the far turn, the complexion of the race changed as Early Bird dropped Skylar and went three lengths clear of her nearest pursuer with American Dillon moving up to challenge for the second position.
Swinging into the straight with 400 metres to race, Early Bird held a three-length lead from American Dillon as Skylar dropped back to third as Desert Dancer moved into the fourth spot.
Inside the final 300 metres, Boodramsing was keeping Early Bird up to his work and the colt by Gold Market/Rosalinda was showing no signs of stopping. Inside the final 200 metres, Naim Samaroo was cajoling another effort from American Dillon and though he closed on the leader winning was never an option and Early Bird was an impressive winner by 3/4 of a length.
Outsider Onefortheroad ran on late to give owner Shivam Maharaj the second and third positions in the event with Desert Dancer in fourth.
Early Bird registered the time of 1:12.32 for the trip.
Riding honour for the day went to Brian Boodramsing who rode two winners in Ravishing and Early Bird.
The leading trainer for the day was John O'Brien who saddled two winners.
Racing will continue on August 1 when the second jewel of local racing's Triple Crown will take place. The big clash will be between the John O'Brien trained pair of Apocalypse and She's So Spectacular and the Guineas winner Regal Intension which was beaten by Apocalypse last time out in a Handicap event.