Northern Star wins Massy United Insurance B’dos Derby

3-year-olds, run over 2000 metres, at the Garrison Savannah, yesterday, the seventh day of the Barbados Turf Club’s second racing season.

 

Ten horses faced starter Mark Batson for the event, and when he pressed the button to send them on their way, it was Poetry In Motion that showed first, but in a few strides, the Rose Gemmell & Sir Charles Williams owned, Kangaroo Jack, trained by Andrew Nunes and ridden by Affrie Ward, took over and went to a three length lead. Following him was Northern Star, trained by Victor Cheesenan and the filly Daddy’s Wish.

 

These three kept their positions until approaching the two furlong marker when jockey Antonio Bishop asked Northern Star to go after the leader.

 

Turning into the straight for the run home, Daddy’s Wish, pulled up with an injury, leaving Kangaroo Jack and Northern Star to fight out the final furlong.

 

With half of a furlong to go, Northern Star put in another gear and went on to an easy victory, giving trainer Victor Cheeseman the honour of being only the second trainer in the 77 year history of the race to win the Derby three consecutive times. The Barbados Advocate congratulates trainer Cheeseman on his fine achievement. Finishing second was Kangaroo Jack, with the Jean-Marc Cozier owned Stolen, trained the owner, with Jalon Samuel in the saddle, fourth was Banja.

 

Northern Star will always be remembered as a horse that was unfortunate not to have won the Triple Crown, as he was badly hampered in the Paddock bend when running in the Barbados Guineas, the first leg of the Triple Crown, and was narrowly beaten by Stephen Allan.

 

The supporting feature, the T. A. ‘Tommy’ Peirce Memorial Trophy (Condition Race), for 3-year-olds and over rated 140 & below, going 1570 metres, saw an outstanding performance by the H & M owned, Lucky Adventure trained by Boston John and ridden by Rasheed Hughes.

 

From the off, Hughes put the 4-year-old bay gelding into the lead, and from there he made it a gate to wire win, in the very good time of 1.33.3 seconds. This gelding is still on the improve, and looks as if he will go on to even better things, as he still has room for further improvement.  

 

Finishing second to him was the David Bynoe owned, Victor Cheeseman trained, Sirius Black, with Shane Collymore in the saddle. Third was Indiano Jones, with Daunting David fourth.

 

Young apprentice jockey Rasheed Hughes gave a very impressive performance on the nine race card, booting home five winners. He won the first four races on the card, and was back in winning enclosure in race six, an outstanding performance that showed the ability of this young rider. He has a great future ahead of him.

 

Trainers Andrew Nunes and Elizabeth ‘Liz’ Deane, both saddled two winners.

 

Racing continues on Saturday August 20. (CH)