A meeting, called by the Thoroughbred Owners & Breeders Association last Wednesday, underscored the membership’s concern over the Supreme Ventures Limited (SVL) announcement of a proposal to purchase the Caymanas property. This, to consolidate the collateral backing of an SVL-planned 10-year US$100-million investment to fund the development of the infrastructure and maximise its supposed potential as a commercial centre. I will deal with this issue in an article subsequently.

Against the background of the reported $400-million loss on operations by promoting entity Supreme Ventures Racing & Entertainment Limited, the parent company SVL’s proposal raises interesting questions. The stakeholders at the meeting are of the view that the Caymanas plant is not for sale, and further, expect an amicable outcome in the pending negotiations for a purse increase. All things considered, this was a fitting precursor to the three-day Emancipendence race meetings featuring the Oaks and the Derby.

Race eight, the Betting Gaming & Lotteries Commission Trophy (BG&LC), an Open Allowance event, featured a field of nine declared for the five and a half furlong dash. Favourite Pack Plays (USA) at odds of 3-2 was turned out immaculately tuned by trainer Rowan Mathie. Seven-pound claimer Richie Shakes could hardly be more confident in executing the front-running tactics perfectly to score by a length and a half. It was a very nice touch to the activities to see a good turnout of members of the BG&LC staff and so many of their very young family members at the races.

The opening event of nine was won by 1-5 favourite Jason DaCosta’s Let Him Fly in a near 10-length romp with Shaheen Gordon, the winning apprentice,demonstrating that any effort over the seven and a half furlongs would be surplus to requirement on his part. In the day’s second, contested by half-dozen starters on the straight course, it was an almost four-length advantage for Gary Subratie’s 14-1 shot Bold Move, ridden by Aaron Chatrie in the absence of declared 2023 champion Reyan Lewis.

Owner/trainer Donovan Clarke must have been very relieved when, after four consecutive second-place finishes, his Noble Sovereign (4-5), ridden by Robert Halledeen for the rider’s first of a double, was just over two lengths ahead when the six-furlong gallop of race three ended. Halledeen’s closer came in race six. Maiden colt Legal Fight (2-1), saddled by Patrick Lynch, won by a short head over the six furlongs.

Champion and leading reinsman Raddesh Roman kept his fan club in good spirits. Favourite Eazy Peazy at 7-5 came from well off the pace to win race four. Trained by Anthony Nunes and having a lot to do from the top of the home stretch, Eazy Peazy caught the long-time leader Generational well inside the last furlong for a half a length advantage over the six and a half furlongs trip. Roman added a second with 3-2 fancied Storm, saddled by Adrian Prince, coming home a two-length winner of race nine run at seven furlongs.

In race five, contested by a field of six, Tequila Blue (2-1) was just over six lengths clear at the end of the six furlongs. Ridden by claimer Demar Williams, the five-year-old grey mare was declared by trainer Oraldo Chin for his second success from 34 entries this season. Trainer Anthony Nunes picked up asecond win with 2011 champion Dick Cardenas guiding Another One (9-2) to win over the five and a half furlongs of race five.

The Training Feat Award is presented to Gary Subratie for the obvious improvement of Bold Move, a clear winner in his first attempt in the higher promoted category after a long list of indifferent performances The Best Winning Gallop was executed by
Eazy Peazy and owed the victory, in no small measure to the skill set of Roman, who takes yet another Jockeyship award.