Ryan Darby SITTING on 70 points, 12 clear of Eraldo Fullerton going into Saturday's Craven 'A' Chmpionship final round at Caymanas Park, trainer Ryan Darby is pretty confident he has the series gift-wrapped for Christmas.
Darby holds more than a strong hand in the 1300-metre event with two runners -- BRUT and MUTUAL AGREEMENT -- and he's actually eyeing a $500,000 bonus sweep in the nine-race series.
Groom Carlton "Chin" Russell, who tends to BRUT and MUTUAL AGREEMENT, is on 70 points and leads his category by 14, ahead of Fullerton's Michael "Father West" Smith. Should either of Russell's charges pass the post in front or even place second, he will not be denied the $100,000 bonus for the Craven 'A' Series' winning groom.
Similarly, MUTUAL AGREEMENT carries $250,000 worth of hopes to post for owner Gary Griffiths who trails Fullerton's syndicate, 'The Kool One', by 11 points.
Claiming trainers' most sought after prize, the Craven 'A' Championship Series, is run on a points basis among eligible $150,000-130,000 Claimers over varying distances year-long.
Since debuting in 1996, the series has thrived on tough competition among the top Claiming barns. Increased purses and a million-dollar bonus for winners and runners-up have brought out the best in grooms, jockeys, owners and trainers.
This year's series has been no exception and apart from the jockey's standings, in which apprentice Ramon Parish holds an unassailable 33-point lead for a $125,000 bonus, the remaning categories could go down to the wire.
Fullerton's two entries, SCOUT MASTER and CAPTAIN JACQUES, do not appear to be as fit as Darby's pair but this is the Craven 'A' Series and it's never over until it's over.
If it comes down to 'know-how', Darby's camp has to be given the edge. He shares barns with his father Robert, a mean Craven 'A' customer himself.
Ryan was assistant to his father prior to getting his licence and was in the thick of things when his Pa went down on the final day of the 1996 series to Tony Kirlew. He was still assistant when Robert was beaten by Wesley Perkins a year later but was a licenced trainer when his father, once known as the King of Claiming, ran away with the title in 1998.
Richie Todd emerged to take the Craven 'A' title last year but Ryan is determined to return the cash and silverware to the Darby camp.
"I'm pretty confident to win this year, seeing Richie Todd hasn't shown much interest for the past few races," said Ryan Thursday, referring to Todd who has since wrested the Claiming title from Robert.
"My two main dangers don't appear to have better chances than my runners," he added. "I am almost sure to win. Fullerton's horses shouldn't beat either of my pair.
"This would be my first major achievement in racing and I also have plans for the series next year. It's good in every way. The punters look forward to it and Caymanas Track Limited has been doing a good job with Craven 'A' in promoting the series. Every month or six weeks you have something to look forward to. It takes strategy and planning.
"You have to put all into it and there's a bonus at the end of the year. Even if you don't win the bonus, the purse is better than the average $150,000 Claiming race. The punters also look forward to it."
Ryan said being around his father has taught him a lot and employing similar tactics has worked for him.
Robert was full of praises for his son but was quick to point out that "you haven't won until you have won", something he knows best after a losing by a point to Kirlew in 1996.
Russell, who said he preferred BRUT over MUTUAL AGREEMENT at the handicaps, described the $100,000 grooms' bonus as a pension.
"It's a bonus for me. A very good bonus...a pension. That's how I look at it. Something to have when you leave racing.
"I have a strong hold," he said, "two fit horses who are on top of their game. BRUT has a powerful finish and the pace will come back to him. I think MUTUAL AGREEMENT is a bit handicapped out of it. That's how I look at it. I don't know about anybody else."
