The Trinidad Derby holds no equal as the most prestigious racing event run off in this country—one with a long and very colourful history.
Sponsored by National Gas Company (NGC) and since referred to as the NGC CNG Derby Stakes, this Grade I event for the Caribbean’s best three-year-olds was actually first run off in 1902 when Mr L Devenish’s ‘Fox’ with Lynch up, defeated three other rivals over eight furlongs at the Queen’s Park Savannah, which was the home of the Derby until 1993, after which racing was centralised at Santa Rosa Park, in Arima.
This year’s edition will be the most open event in the history of the “Run For The Roses’ with eight of the 13 entered possessing the chance to land the $300,000 first prize.
Following are the views of the trainers on the big event which will be run off on Thursday.
Glenn Mendez, who has the distinction of saddling two ‘Triple Crown’ winners at the centralised facility, believes he has as good a chance of any to add to his tally.
He said: “My three horses Man To Come, Star Sapphire and Risky Trial are all fit and well.
“I think they will all stay the Derby distance well. The key horses are Kronus and Bergeron Boy. The former has very good form in Jamaica and has raced over the trip and looks a through stayer. Bergeron Boy has been improving and has come right at the correct time. He won impressively last time when beating Man To Come but on this occasion they will be racing at level weights. Man To Come handed him five kilos last time out. But, he seems to be progressing and he galloped superbly last week in preparation for the event.”
When asked about possible favourite War Maker, Mendez said, “Earlier in the season, I would have stated that War Maker would be difficult to beat but I don’t think that he has progressed in the manner expected since the Guineas.
Harriram Gobin, who is on a hot-streak at the moment, stated: “This is the most open Derby in a very long time. Jockeyship will be the main factor. My horse Morning Calm will run a big race. I have no doubt about the trip.
“The horse, I think, that has everyone worried is Bergeron Boy which worked superbly on Friday, racing over five furlongs in 59 seconds with Prayven Badrie very confident of victory. Bergeron Boy is coming right at the right time.”
Anthony Nunes will lead the Jamaican challenge with Kronus but he also has the Merlin Samlalsingh-owned Legal Adviser in the event. When asked about Kronus, he said: “This horse is a good one and he has shown this in Jamaica. He finished fifth in the Jamaican Derby and is a big, rangy horse which will stay forever. I am a bit worried about the tight turns but hopefully all will be well.
“We are going to ensure he is ridden as he is accustomed to be ridden and brought with his run in the final 600 metres and not be too close to the pace early.”
When asked about his rivals he noted: “Bergeron Boy has been improving and his win was impressive. He galloped superbly on Friday and must be one of the horses to beat.”
Derick Mosca who has Royal Pioneer entered said: “This is a very open Derby. My horse will be coming in to the race with a chance because I know he will stay well but the horses which will be the main focus will be Kronus and Bergeron Boy.
“The former has the form and the Jamaican horses usually come here and give good accounts. Nunes knows what is required and will no doubt have his horse ready to win. Bergeron Boy galloped with authority last week and if you saw that gallop, you would be happy. He will go very close.”
Douglas Bennett stated that his filly Cloud Nine which two weeks ago won the Gleneagle Stakes will give a good account of herself.