Big plans for Lotto raceday
published: Wednesday | May 4, 2005
Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer
Mr Paul Hoo, (left) chairman of Supreme Ventures Limited, presents the sponsorship cheque of $750,000 for five races to CTL's acting CEO Walford Brown at yesterday's launch of 'Lotto Raceday' 2005, featuring the $2 million Lotto Classic for the Governor's Cup. - JUNIOR DOWIE/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
THIS YEAR'S Lotto Classic for the Governor's Cup takes place at Caymanas Park on Saturday, May 14 and with the April 2, 2000 Guineas winner COLTRANE and the runner-up MIRACLE MAN renewing their rivalry, it is worth going miles to see.
Details for 'Lotto Raceday' 2005 were outlined by representatives of the sponsors, Supreme Ventures Limited and promoters, Caymanas Track Limited (CTL), at yesterday's launch at the Courtleigh Hotel & Suites, Knutsford Boulevard.
In addition to the Lotto Classic for native-bred three-year-olds over 2000 metres this, offering a total purse of $2 million Supreme Ventures Limited will sponsor four other races on the programme of 11.
These are the Lotto Sprint Trophy, a grade one handicap race over 1100 metres with a purse of $1 million which includes $150,000 from SVL; The Lotto Dash Trophy for maiden and untried two-year-olds over 600 metres straight which offers a total purse of $650,000 including $100,000 from SVL; The Lotto Challenge Trophy claiming $330,000-$290,000 for three-year-olds and up over 1400 metres with a purse of $415,000 ($100,000 from SVL) and the Lotto Championship Trophy for $150,000 claimers over 1100 metres, offering a purse of $355,000 including $100,000 from the sponsors.
In all, Supreme Ventures has donated $750,000 to purses, including $300,000 to supplement the Lotto Classic, in addition to $70,000 to assist the popular Kiddies Stables which on this occasion will facilitate between 100 to 150 teenagers from two homes in the Corporate Area.
The Lotto Sprint promises to be a race against the clock what with the Wayne DaCosta-trained LIL'COUNTRY BOY, who ran this race in stakes record time last year, expected to renew rivalry with the 2003 'Horse of the Year' A KING IS BORN from the stables of champion trainer, Philip Feanny.
Others expected to face the starter are JACK DE PRINCE, COURT CASE, CLOCK WORK and FORMALLY GOLD.
CLASH
According to CTL's racing secretary Denzil Miller Jr., the 65th running of the Lotto Classic is billed as a clash between training talents' Allan 'Billy' Williams, the veteran 'Hall of Fame' trainer, vs Richard Azan.
Williams will saddle the talented chestnut colt MIRACLE MAN for popular owner Joseph 'Fudgie' Duany, while Azan (a six-time champion owner) has three colts at his disposal from which to launch a powerful challenge COLTRANE, KAMIR and ROYAL COMMAND who was a fast-finishing third in the April 2 2000 Guineas over 1600 metres.
Among the others expected to start are the improving AD INFINITUM, stable companion ESTOY LISTO, both from the stables of Anthony 'Baba' Nunes, MUSICAL MAESTRO, NATURAL DESIRE and the fillies VICTORIA and HAIL THE I.
Apart from the five races sponsored by SVL, there will be another trophy race run in honour of WAR ZONE, the first horse to earn $10 million locally. It is the War Zone 3-Y-O Sprint Trophy for native bred two-year-olds over 1100 metres with a purse of $425,000.
As usual, Lotto Day not only promises exciting racing on the track, but interesting off-the-track activities.
"For the punters this time around we have added more features to our promotions to make it a very rewarding day at the track," declared Paul Hoo, chairman of SVL.
He went on to explain that CTL will have special promotional terminals on site, enabling punters to play their favourite lottery games while betting on the horses at the track.
"One lucky player of the Lotto game at the track will get a chance to win a 29-inch flat-screen colour TV, if that person can name the winner of the Lotto Classic race in 2004.
"Special coupons will be provided at the promotional terminals for players to enter the competition. The draw for the TV will take place in the winners' enclosure at the track, right after the race is run," said Hoo.
Meanwhile, 10 races are scheduled to be run at Caymanas Park today, including two offering trophies.
Among them is the season's first two-year-old race, the Starters' Trophy over 400 metres straight to be contested by nine juveniles, including top contenders NO GUTZ NO GLORY, DON DON and ROYAL MEDIC.
Firm fancies on today's card are, NO GUTZ NO GLORY, GENERAL VERRAZANO in the second race, UNIQUE SELECTION, CARTER WONG and SIR KISSON LAL in the Birnamwood Trophy co-feature.
