First winner for 2014

Sport

FROM THE HORSE’S MOUTH BY OBSERVER RACING WRITER Friday, January 03, 2014

Safe Passage, trained by Nicholas Edwards and ridden by champion jockey Dane Nelson, had the distinction of winning the first race on offer at Caymanas Park in 2014. While no special award is given for such an achievement, many in racing circles attribute the significance of luck during the course of the entire year and beyond to the connections of the winner.IMPRESSIVE WIN BY LOCKED AND LOADEDWe are at that time of year again when trainers and owners especially search for the quick development of their now three-year-olds in order to mount a significant challenge in the Classic races. As such the performances of the three-year-olds are watched very closely by all in racing. A sneak preview of what is possible came in the third race on New Year’s Day when the Anthony Nunes-trained Locked and Loaded blitzed rivals in a maiden event. Locked and Loaded won by an expanding 12 lengths in an appreciated time for 1,300 metres of 1:21.2 minutes. It was a performance to savour and surely Locked and Loaded has made an early statement.ALLCORRECT DELIVERSIn a driving stretch duel, All Correct (Dick Cardenas) held off the persistent challenge of Piscean Rocket (Dane Nelson) to bring wide smiles to the faces of his connections: owner Raymond Rousseau and trainer Wayne DaCosta. All Correct was absent from the racetrack for most of last year, racing only once. The five-year-old dark bay gelding by Storm Craft – Pizzaz seems to have mended quite well from his long stay on the farm and is sure to improve. Congratulations to all concerned.A DAY OF JOY FOR SADIKI BLAKEOn September 8, 2012, 20 apprentices graduated from the Jockeys’ School and started their riding careers at Caymanas Park. Up to New Year’s Day, 17 of those apprentices had ridden one or more winners, except for Sadiki Blake, Zac Meikle and Kareem Richardson – Garvey. At the end of the race day, Blake proved his mettle when he won his first race on board Pocket Money at the very generous odds of 53-1. The look of joy and relief on Blake’s face was something to behold. A happier man in the country could not be found. The wish is for many more winners, Mr Blake.Safe Passage (#2) getting the better of Lovetta Jones to win the first race of 2014. Inset: Trainer Nicholas Edwards.WHAT JOY! Apprentice rider Sadiki Blake makes his first excursion to the winners’ enclosure with Pocket Money, and he cannot hide his obvious joy.(L-R) Omar Walker guides Locked and Loaded to the winners’ enclosure.. Dick Cardenas applies the loving touch to All Correct.

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First winner for 2014