Speedy Nostradassa returning to track

The darling of the Garrison Savannah, Nostradassa makes a return to the track today in the 1 100 metres Gordon Lewis Handicap for horses rated 115-90 during the Honouring Former Barbados Turf Club’s Employeees RaceDay.

Set for a 5:30 p.m run-off time on the Barbados Turf Club’s seventh day of its first racing season, the Mr Array owned filly is coming off an injury layoff. Confronting her will be War Beat who is fresh off a third place finish in the Grade 1 Sandy Lane Spa Sprint.

Trained by Richard Deane, Nostradassa, taking 124 pounds will be going after a hattrick having not raced for about three months. Regular rider Jarelle Beckles will once again be in the saddle with the duo moving off from post position six.

Apart from Nostradassa the other speedster in the race is Major Dan, who will re-unite with the experienced Rickey Walcott who was the last jockey to win astride him two starts back.

The David Seale-owned Andrew Nunes-trained bay gelding Major Dan when carrying level weight in the Spa Sprint was a well beaten seventh in the race won by Miss Anya from Enisa.

One to fear most

Major Dan will be around leaving the gates but could struggle to see the race through when the heat is turned on. However, the one that Nostradassa should fear most is the Melrose Racing-owned seven-year-old bay horse War Beat, who is conditioned by trainer Remel Lovell.

Having won his first start at the Garrison on November 1, War Beat then failed to crack a top-three place in his next three outings which included a sixth place finish in the Coolmore “Home of Champions” Stakes and Trophy.

He showed the benefit of pressing the pace in the 1 800 metres route event by finishing fast in the $68 000 sprint in the Sandy Lane Gold Cup.

War Beat (129) will be guided around the track by in-form jockey Rasheed Hughes and that alone is more that enough reason to anticipate another superb effort.

Dancing Prospector was fourth in the Spa and could once again fill one of the minor places here with apprentice Raheem Thorpe in the irons once more. Taking 120 pounds, the John Chandler-owned brown gelding lacks early speed and is a steady closer which can only work in his favour if the speed collapses.

Brilliant News (126) get the services of jockey Delano Lopez and is one of those horses that will need several things to go wrong for him to hit the winner’s enclosure.

He is worth a place wager and the same sentiment is applicable to Brenner Pass whose form or lack of has been trending in the wrong direction.

Apprentice Devonte Abraham is booked and the pair final weight is 123 pounds. The other entrant Show The Money, the property of Mark Goodridge was a no show in the March 7 Spa Sprint.

Despite having the services of apprentice Aaron Daniel and 113 pounds, it is hard to envision the pair will pulling off a major surprise to win here. Post time for the first race is 1:30 p.m.

MY PICKS

Race 1: Soleil Levant Race 2: Dalicia’s Angel Race 3: Ettajamez

Race 4: Barnabas

Race 5: Caribbean Kitten Race 6: Poseidon Race 7: Heidi Marie

Race 8: War Beat

(Lindon Yarde)

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