Barbados Advocate, March 3,1996

Rambrino makes it happen

By Traveller

Another Hall and Griffith combination struck in devastating fashion at the Garrison yesterday.
This time it was not the famous cricket fast bowling duo which terrorized batsmen in the 60's and 70's, but rather Sean Hall and Chris Griffith who combined their respective skills to win the 15th Cockspur Cup with 10-1 outsider, Rambrino.
Sean, son of former West Indies fast bowler and now team manager Wes Hall, and Chris, son of a former top jockey Geoffrey Griffith, had the biggest win of their respective careers as Rambrino slammed a top class field and carried off the first prize of $100,000 for his owner.
Owned by international racing magnate Robert Sangster, who was reportedly in Australia at the time of the race, Rambrino put all his bad ways behind him and decided to show his true class by running the race of his life to date.
The gelding was fitted with blinkers and ear-muffs to block out the noise from the large crowd, and he also had on special shoes for a hoof problem he developed in the Cave Shepherd. The ploy worked marvelously as the brown gelding remained focused on the task at hand.
Leading Article went into an early lead after the gates opened to start the 1,800 meters event, while Mariposa Lily walked out of the boxes.When the horses passed the stands for the first time, Asian Jane and Make'n It Happen were vying for the lead with Surya Bhagwan and Rambrino in close attendance.

Run for home

Down the backstretch and Rambrino went and took over the lead while Surya Bhagwan moved up alongside. At this stage, Griffith had placed himself in a position to challenge, bringing the gelding around the field in a sweeping run. He waited until the field had straightened up for home before he let loose the gelding who responded instantly.
He quickened past Surya Bhagwan and caught Make'n It Happen halfway down the homestretch and went on to a comfortable win. Make'n It Happen held on for second position while Surya Bhagwan ran on stoutly to take third place, just ahead of a fast finishing Mariposa Lily, who came from a long way back.
Trinidad's Sian's Gold acquitted herself reasonably well by finishing a good fifth, also coming from far off the pace.
The biggest disappointment was the highly rated Veridique, which appeared to have broken down and had to be pulled up during the race.

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