Dual sponsorship for Guineas

Orville Clarke, Gleaner Writer

Maximum fields of 16 were declared for the 37th running of the 1000 and 2000 Guineas at yesterday's press launch of the season's first Classics at Caymanas Park.

Both one-mile races, which offer purses of $3.6 million each, are being sponsored jointly for the first time by Sanmerna Paper Products Limited and TWP Realty Company Limited to the tune of $500,000.

The live draw for post positions was conducted by officials of Caymanas Track Limited and the Jamaica Racing Commission at approximately 1:30 p.m. and it came as no surprise that both races received overwhelming support from owners and trainers.

The draw for the 1000 Guineas, confined to native-bred three-year-old fillies, is as follows:

1 PALACE GUARD (Dane Nelson), 2 DARCAS AMANDA (Reeves Blake), 3 PALACE GOLD (Omar Walker), 4 LIFE GOES ON (Aaron Chatrie), 5 LUSCIOUS (Georgina Sergeon), 6 STORM WATCH (Jason Simpson), 7 TREASURE GIRL (Brian Harding), 8 DONTSAYAWORD (Doushane Gordon), 9 CARIDAD (Allen Maragh), 10 ZELIHA (Richard Mairs), 11 ISNT SHE SOMETHIN (Richard Mitchell), 12 MEA CULPA (Dick Cardenas), 13 ATRAILOFTEARS (Andre Martin), 14 SENSE OF TRADITION (Andrew Ramgeet), 15 RIGHT MARKER (Paul Francis), 16 NIPHAL (Shane Ellis).

The draw for the 2000 Guineas, confined to three-year-old colts and geldings, is as follows:

1 SARAGOSSA (Andrew Ramgeet), 2 DON GEORGE (Winston Griffiths), 3 MOHEGAN SON (Kenyatta Davis), 4 UNCLE KEN (Shane Ellis), 5 INVICTUS (Aaron Chatrie), 6 ERASMO (Dick Cardenas), 7 JUSTIN ON FIRE (Allen Maragh), 8 NOTUS (Trevor Simpson), 9 THE MESSENGER (Dane Nelson), 10. SKIPPING BOY (Wesley Henry), 11 BIGMAN BOYU (Brian Harding), 12 JET SETTER (Richard Mairs), 13 MADURA GOLD (Georgina Sergeon), 14 TRADITIONAL PRINCE (Richard Mitchell), 15 CONEYISLANDINVADER (Tyrone Nelson), 16 SIR SOUTH (Omar Walker).

Tremendous opportunity

Speaking on behalf of the sponsors, Veronica Baker, sales and marketing manager of Sanmerna Paper Products, said: "It is evident that the patrons who enjoy racing are the very same people with whom we do business.

"The 37th running of the Jamaica 2000 Guineas is not only a profound pleasure for us, but it also promises a tremendous advertising and promotional opportunity for Sanmerna Paper Products Limited."

Similar sentiments were expressed by Yanique Townsend, office manager for TWP Realty Company Limited, sponsors of the 1000 Guineas.

"We believe that the king of real estate and the Sport of Kings is a most welcomed partnership," she said.

Also speaking was CTL director and acting CEO Camille Buchanan, who unveiled a TV advertisement campaign she conceived jointly with the marketing department, depicting the leading jockeys at Caymanas Park zeroing-in on their chances in the Guineas.

Cal's Manufacturing Limited will offer a number of giveaways to lucky punters on the day, among other things.