Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer
Judith Forth-Blake (right), director of marketing at Courts Jamaica Limited, hands over the Hilma Veira Oaks trophy to Ruth Smith-Sutherland, general manager of the Jamaica Racing Commission at yesterday's launch of the Courts Jamaica Oaks at Theatreville, West King's House Road, Kingston. Looking on is Caymanas Track Limited's execurive manager for marketing, Millicent Lynch. - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer
COURTS JAMAICA Oaks raceday on Saturday, April 23 at Caymanas Park will be bigger and better than ever.
That was the consensus at yesterday's launch of the big sponsored raceday, featuring the 66th running of the Courts Jamaica Oaks for native-bred three-year-old fillies over 2000 metres. The launch was held at Theatreville, 10 West King's House Road, Kingston 10.
The season's third classic offers a total purse of $2.5 million $500,000 of which has been donated by Courts.
Overall, Courts Jamaica Limited has donated $2 million towards the day's activities.
WOMEN TO BE HONOURED
In keeping with the 'Oaks Day is Ladies Day' theme, Courts, in association with Caymanas Track Limited (CTL), will once again honour outstanding women in a particular field.
Last year, it was women in tourism. The year before, it was the nurses and before that it was women in the media. This time around, it will be oustanding women in the creative arts drama, dance, music and art.
In drama, those to be honoured are Fae Ellington, Leonie Forbes, Barbara Gloudon, Lorna Goodison, Cathy Levy, Claudette Pios, Pauline Stone-Myrie and Heather Sutherland-Wade.
Music Judy Mowatt, Olive Lewin, Marjorie Whylie, Beverley Dexter, Karlene Davis Cowan, Karen Smith and Lillieth Nelson.
Dance Melanie Graham, Alma Mock Yen, Barbara Requa, L'Antionette Stines, Arlene Richards and Fay Simpson.
Art Kay Sullivan, Hope Brooks, Carol Chriton and Margaret McGhie.
INFIELD TENT
The function honouring the women will be held as usual under the infield tent where Courts will host invited guests, clients and friends throughout the raceday.
Judith Forte-Blake, Courts director of marketing, said: "We are therefore encouraging our guests to embrace the theme, and to be creative in their dress and head wear. I think 'artsy' is the word we are using.
"We will also be encouraging broad participation by the ladies in the very popular hat parade, by giving prizes for the hats that best depict the theme. As expected, Courts will be heavily branded on the day and this will be extended to the naming of the races, the various giveaways and mini surprises throughout the day.
"Grooms can also look forward to receiving prizes for the best-presented horses in each race.
DAY OF FAMILY FUN
"Finally, and equally important, we intend to have the kiddies stable in operation. As usual, we plan to make this another fun day for the entire family," she said.
CTL's racing secretary Denzil Miller Jr. said the recent 1000 Guineas winner SI MI TRIAL, who is unbeaten in
four starts, "still has to prove that she is still the best native-bred three-year-old filly by winning this race".
Miller said in addition to SI MI TRIAL, the Guineas runner-up VICTORIA and third place HAIL THE I will be back, along
with LADY CHACHI, PADDY'S STORM, ALL FOR PLEASURE and SHAN FABULOSA, among others.
Supporting features on the card are the $775,000 the Lady Geeta Trophy graded stakes over 1200 metres and the Ricochet Cup for native-bred three-year-old fillies.
