Guineas double for Gary Subratie

Orville Clarke, Sunday Gleaner Writer

Trainer Gary Subratie left Caymanas Park in a blaze of glory yesterday after posting NIPHAL (5-1) and BIG MAN BOYU (7-2) to win the season's first classics, the 1000 and 2000 Guineas, respectively, in contrasting fashion.

In the 37th running of the 1000 Guineas, sponsored for the first time by TWP Realty Company Limited over 1600 metres, NIPHAL, ridden by leading jockey Shane Ellis for owners Farasfhal Farm, broke winning from the number 15 post position and proceeded to make all in a field of 16 native bred three-year-old fillies.

However, after showing LUSCIOUS (10-1) and highly fancied RIGHT MARKER (9-5) a clean pair of heels for most of the way, NIPHAL had to be driven out under a torrid left hand stick to hold her more fancied stable-companion, the 8-5 favourite TREASURE GIRL (prominent), under Trinidadian champion jockey Brian Harding, at bay by three-quarter length.

Philip Feanny's CARIDAD, running at odds of 9-1 with Allen Maragh aboard, stayed on for third, while stable-companion ISNT SHE SOMETHIN, highly fancied at 3-1, finished fourth.

The winner, a chestnut filly by Legal Process out of Lady Ramragie, was bred by 10-time champion breeder Henry Jaghai J.P. who, significantly, is also the breeder of BIG MAN BOYU.

Commanding lead

Subratie, who by virtue of winning both Guineas, a feat last achieved by 'Hall of Famer' Philip Feanny in 1993 when VESTIA and TAI FU CHIEH both won races, has not only assumed the lead from reigning champion Wayne DaCosta in the trainers' standings with 18 wins and $12.7 million, but the man everyone is now calling 'Champion', has opened up a commanding lead over DaCosta. Subratie said:

"Niphal was prepared to run a big race and while I had a slight leaning towards Treasure Girl coming into the race, I knew her speed could have proven a decisive factor.

"It's a tremendous feeling to win both classics, but to run one/two in the 1000 Guineas is a bonus for me".

Later in the afternoon, Harding made amends aboard BIG MAN BOYU, bringing the lightly-raced chestnut colt from just off the early pace to circle long-time leader SARAGOSSA (3-1) under Andrew Ramgeet entering the straight, to win the Sanmerna Paper Products-sponsored 2000 Guineas by 3 1/4 lengths from 20-1 outsider JUSTIN ON FIRE in a maximum field of 16.

By War Marshall out of Lady Chachi, BIG MAN BOYU, who was fitted with the tongue tie for the first time, is owned by the Trinidadian Baskaran Bassawh, who a month ago purchased the colt from UNCLE KEN's owner Kenval Wallace for US$35,000. The Subratie-trained UNCLE KEN, installed an 8-5 favourite, could only manage fifth with Ellis astride.

Basswah said he will convene a meeting today to decide whether to transport his two horses, BIG MAN BOYU and TREASURE GIRL to Trinidad, or leave them here to contest the remaining classics.