MR. BIG PEPE MAKES IT 10 IN 10 Hundreds of patrons turned up at the Indian Castle race track on Sunday 17th February to witness what was unofficially dubbed the ‘Tourism Horse Race Meet.’
The Police Officers had their hands full as they worked overtime even in intermittent rain to ensure that a tight parking arrangement was maintained.
There were five races on the card and the fans were not to be disappointed.
In race one, DASHING DALE dashed around the track to beat the competition to the finish line.
Race number two was undoubtedly the race of the day, as GOTTOGETARYTHYM AND LADY PLEASURE stormed past the finish line in a dead heat. Chief Steward Griffin and the other officials called it right but the camera replays later confirmed that GOTTOGETARYTHYM had won by a virtual nose!
Race three was dominated by SHAKE N SHAY, ridden by Brem Liburd and the crowd was visibly uneasy as they awaited race number four, the feature race of the day.
A very excited Allister Thompson of the Low Ground stables could barely contain himself on the microphone as MR. BIG PEPE prepared to journey into ‘unchartered waters,’ having not done the six furlongs distance before. However, he and Trainer ‘Hawk,’ were openly confident that the horse that had won 9 consecutive races to date, would take the trophy.
Watched close up by the cheering crowd which included Minister of Tourism and Sports, the Hon Mark Brantley and the Junior Minister in the Ministry of Communication et al, the Hon Troy Liburd. MR. BIG PEPE was cruising in third as they approached the final incline.
As they turned the final curve, Brem Liburd touched it lightly with the whip and the indomitable MR. BIG PEPE pulled away from the pack, much to the jubilation of the growing fan club.
Allister Thompson proceeded to celebrate with some gymnastics to the strains of King Konris’ ‘BY DE BREATH.”
Race number five was rather anticlimactic for more than one reason:
· It was run in virtual darkness
· The jockeys got off after a much delayed start with one horse remaining at a standstill, with the flags still upraised. LADY BOSS passed the finish line well ahead of HAWLEY’S WILD FIRE.’
The big question was: Was it a legitimate race?
Chief Steward Griffin later indicated that the matter will be discussed with the Nevis Turf and Jockey Club executive in order to determine the legitimacy of the race, as he noted that he had given instructions for the race to proceed. He was therefore shocked that the flags had remained airborne.
The summarized race results:
Race one
DASHING DALE
GREY GHOST
SHOWTIME
Race two
GOTTOGETARYTHYM
LADY PLEASURE
PRINCESS MELODYS
RACE THREE
SHAKE N SHAY
ROSMAN
SHEIK SUNG
RACE FOUR
MR. BIG PEPE
REAL ASPECTATIONS
WILD CANDY
RACE FIVE
(To be determined)
The next meet has been set for April 1st.