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THE
Philippine Racing Commission (Philracom)-sponsored
Aquamarine I stakes this Sunday at the
Santa Ana
Park
is keenly awaited by racing aficionados.
Why?
Because this is another battleground for another highly
awaited matchup of top three-year-olds in the land,
which are all touted Triple Crown Series contenders this
year.
This is
also another perfect ground for the highly anticipated
return bout between fast-rising son of Wind Blown, Don
Enrico, and Indelible Ink, which was chosen recently as
the Philtobo’s Gintong Lahi Horse of the Year. Late last
month Lorraine Uy’s Don Enrico nipped the then
undefeated colt of Hermie Esguerra in the rich Philracom
Chairman’s Cup at the San Lazaro Leisure Park (SLLP).
But
there are some quarters that are not yet impressed with
Don Enrico’s very slim victory. That’s why many are
expected to troop to the Santa Ana Park when the event
happens. An impressive victory by either of the two
young protagonists would simply give credence to their
being the top contenders in the coming Triple Crown
Championship Series.
But
aside from the two, six others are joining them in the
1,600-meter race that offers a total prize of P500,000.
Here’s the official list of starters and their
corresponding owners, jockeys and handicap weights:
Hermie Esguerra’s coupled entries Anonymous, CB Tamano,
52 and Indelible Ink, Jeff Zarate, 52; Aristeo Puyat’s
Balabushka, Val Dilema, 54; Lorraine Uy’s Don Enrico,
John Alvin Guce, 54; Jun Almeda’s Imperial Ballet, JB
Hernandez, 54; Michael Trillana’s Pandemonium, 54; Tony
Tan’s Shining Same, Pati Dilema, 54; and Jun Paman’s
Unopposed, John Paolo Guce, 54.
They are
all vying for the top prize of P300,000, while the
runner-up picks up P112,500; third, P52,500; and fourth,
P25,000.
With
this kind of lineup, you better be there at the
racetrack early to get your choice seats.
YES,
many were surprised to see a Monday night racing at the
SLLP in Carmona, Cavite.
Because
of lack of space, we failed to tell you that this is an
experiment being done by the Manila Jockey Club Inc. (MJCI),
as it also trimmed down the racing hours during the
weekend. By adding one more day (Monday) on its racing
days (making it an everyday racing affair during the
races at the SLLP), it also lessened the racing hours on
its weekend racing.
Instead
of finishing the races at around 8:30 p.m. during
Saturday and Sunday races, racing aficionados are
expected to go home at around 6:30 in the evening. Yes,
expect your loved ones to finish their whole-day dose of
horseracing business early on a weekend at the SLLP.
Philracom chairman Jose Ferdinand Rojas II said it was
the MJCI which proposed the additional racing day and
the lessening of racing hours on weekend races. “But it
is on an experimental basis. We would be looking at it
after three months and evaluate the impact of the said
changes,” chairman Rojas said.
OUR good
friend Down Under, Peter Morrison, e-mailed us this one:
As
handicapping has been a hot topic in Manila, maybe this
could be handy for you. The aim of the RWWA
handicapping policy document is to provide industry
participants with a guide as to the weight horses will
receive by virtue of their performances as they move up
or down in grade or, for that matter, remain within the
same grade.
It is
contended that handicappers must attempt to provide
consistent handicapping, and enable the connections of
horses to have a greater understanding of the methods
used.
Western Australia
has adopted a ratings-based handicapping system, closely
aligned to that now in operation in all other states of
Australia.
It is
important to note that the following template is to be
used as a guide, as there are instances where the
quality of the field can affect scales used in the
handicapping of races. This especially applies in
featured handicap races, where the handicapper may have
the scope to be flexible as a consequence of a very
strong nomination and taking into consideration the
objective of attempting to attract the best possible
field.
Handicappers are bound by the requirements of AR 103(1)
which requires the handicapper to issue a set of weights
for all handicap races, other than group one races, with
a minimum top weight of 58 kg. In satisfying the
requirements of this rule, it may be necessary for the
handicapper to raise weights from what is disclosed on
the RBH template.
It is an
objective of all Western Australian handicappers to
provide industry participants with a greater
understanding of the procedures involved in the
handicapping of all races, both in the metropolitan and
provincial or country areas of the state.
Peter
also asked if there are any preparations for any Gran
Copa de Manila event this June (which is his favorite
local event in the past). No idea or news so far, Peter!
BY the
way, Conrad Jupiters Magic Millions Carnival, one of the
keenly awaited events in the Southern Hemisphere, goes
on as scheduled this Easter at the Gold Coast.
It has
already become an Australian icon event, spread over 17
days, that continues to record phenomenal growth,
injecting an estimated $90 million plus into the local
economy.
The
innovative sale company annually posts results that are
the envy of bloodstock auction houses around the world
(last year gross receipts rocketed from $80.1 million to
$108.4 million for just under 600 racehorses sold at the
four-day Premier sale at Bundall).
The sale
attracts the most powerful buyers from across the globe,
as well as leading Australian trainers and the catalog
stands on its track record of producing very fine
gallopers.
But
Magic Millions is much, much more than a horse sale. It
is a unique Australian celebration with a diverse range
of events from March 17 to April 2 with more than 40
associated events.
“Magic
Millions is so much more than just a horse sale, it has
a genuine carnival atmosphere and a wide variety of
community events. The corporate Gold Coast sector is
right behind us. It is very satisfying to see our event
calendar continue to expand to really get everyone
involved,” said managing director David Chester, who
arrived in Manila several weeks back to promote the
event here.
The
carnival event program kicks off with a Magic Monday
champagne lunch in the opulent Palazzo Versace on March
17, setting the tone for a whirlwind round of social
activities up to April 2. |
