Trainer Ramesh Ramroop has been a consistent performer on the local racing scene, with several notable victories to his credit. His star charge, Sneaky Cheeky, has achieved significant success, including winning the Stewards Cup in 2024 and defending her title in the premier sprint event on the local calendar. Ramroop’s conditioning has been instrumental in Sneaky Cheeky’s rise to prominence, establishing her as one of the most successful horses in training alongside Hello World.
The likeable trainer had the privilege of opening the feature Independence Day card at Santa Rosa Park in Arima last Monday with Just Isa Bella, who was sent off as the raging favourite. The filly made all the running before pulling away in the final 200 metres to secure a comfortable victory over Dreamcatcher.
Ramroop was confident ahead of the opener, noting that the filly had been preparing very well.
“She is a speedy filly who had problems earlier in her career,” Ramroop said. “Just Isa Bella broke quickly and set a cracking pace, with only runner-up Dreamcatcher being able to get close to her. She has been improving, and this race was just a matter of time. In my opinion, she will continue to improve and go on to better things. She is settling down well now.”
However, his other runner on the card, Dream Maker, was caught and beaten by Stock Broker in race four, which disappointed Ramroop.
He said, “I thought the race was won when he opened up an eight-to-ten-length lead on the field. However, his young rider could not get him to change his lead leg, and that made him tire close to home and Stock Broker came and snatched the race away.”
Reflecting on the day’s overall performance, Ramroop said: “It was a good one. It was heart-breaking to lose to Stock Broker but from all instances, ‘that money’ was lent.”
