Champion Trainer John O'Brien was the hero at Santa Rosa Park, in Arima on Thursday when he saddled the winner of the two feature events on the Republic Day Card of the Arima Race Club.
With First Citizen Bank sponsoring the first leg of local racing ‘Triple Crown,” the Grade One - First Citizen Bank Guineas over 1,800 metres, on the main track, O'Brien saddled the first two past the post in Wise Guy and the odds on favourite Bella Riva.
O'Brien one race earlier had saddled the first two past the post in the co-feature President's Cup over 1,900 metres when Making Headlines scored from stablemate General JN.
In the First Citizens Guineas, the writing was on the wall when punters backed the John O'Brien trained Wise Guy into joint favouritism with the Unbeaten Bella Riva. Both thoroughbreds were backed at 8-5 and the though they finished in the first two spots in the first jewel of local racing's 'Triple Crown' Wise Guy was impressive winning by 4 1/2 lengths in the time of 1:56.3.
From the go, the Harold Chadee trained Nuclear Fire was sent into the lead from stablemate American Traveller with Spring Valley a close up third, these were followed by Wise Guy and Bella Riva. Following these were Goldon Dor, Princess Steffani and Red Casino with CP Jet at the back.
At the far turn, the order remains unchanged but the field was beginning to get closer. With 500 metres left Nuclear Fire still led but now Wise Guy went in pursuit as Spring Valley and American Traveller both hoisted the white flag. Bella Riva moved into third and looked threatening as Goldon Dor moved closer. Inside the final 300 metres Wise Guy and Bella Riva began to battle for the line but the PT Racing owned Wise Guy was carrying too many guns and he pulled away impressively under Kimal Santo to win impressively. This win gave Santo his second Grade One success. Bella Riva stayed on for second with Goldon Dor running on late for third.
The co-feature President's Cup for the top-class horses over 1,900 metres saw Making Headlines winning comfortably by two lengths from General JN with favourite Master of War and Affirmative in fourth. Affirmative was sent straight to the front from Juice Man with General JN close up in third. These were followed by Apocalypse and Making Headlines.
Coming to the corner in the event, General JN poached a three-length lead from Affirmative with Affirmative and Apocalypse close up and Making Headline coming fast on the outside.
At the top of the straight, it looked like General JN would win but Brian Boodramsing was oozing confidence on Making Headlines and he produced the Ruthven Smith owned horse in the final 100 metres and he ran pass General JN for a cosy success, in the time of 2:00.4. Master of War ran on to catch and beat his stablemate Affirmative for third.
Riding honours for the day were shared between Ronald Ali and Kimal Santo who both rode two winners apiece.
Training honours were also shared between Champion trainer John O'Brien and Harriram Gobin.