Bigga Takes Over Sponsorship of Jamaica Oaks

Hurbun Williams, Observer writer

Wisynco Group through its Bigga soft drink will sponsor this year's 69th running of the Jamaica Oaks with a $1,000,000 contribution to purses.

The event will be known as the Bigga Jamaica Oaks to be run over 2,000 metres for a purse of $2.7 million at Caymanas Park on April 26.

Karen Rosen, Wisynco Group marketing manager, made the announcement at a press briefing at the Knutsford Court Hotel in Kingston on Thursday, where Caymanas Track Limited (CTL) racing secretary Denzil Miller Jnr, also outlined racing details.

The race, which is the second for fillies only in the native-bred three-year-old Classic season, will be run in honour of the late Hilma Veira, former general manager of the Jamaica Racing Commission.

According to Miller, $700,000, the largest share of the sponsor's contribution, will go to the purse of the Bigga Jamaica Oaks, while the remaining $300,000 will be divided equally between the two supporting feature races on the Bigga Jamaica Oaks Raceday programme - The Lady Geeta Trophy Grade 1 race for three-year-olds and upward over 1,200 metres for a purse of $900,000 and the Richochet Trophy for native-bred three-year-old maidens and untried fillies over 1,000 metres round for a purse of $500,000.
Looking back at the way the first Classic of the season the 1,000 Guineas was run and the prospects going into the Bigga Jamaica Oaks on April 26, Miller observed that "it is back to the drawing board for some and high hopes for others".
Possible runners, who could face the starter for the Bigga Jamaica Oaks include Guineas winner Alsafra and runner-up It Is I, as well as Ahwhofah, Lady Liz, Heart Of Gold, Pride "N" Glory, Loving Good, Medusa and Girl Of My Dream.

In announcing the possible starters Miller sees "a very interesting situation on the horizon for racing fans as a rivalry between the nation's two top fillies will continue in the 69th running of the Bigga Jamaica Oaks, as both are Triple Crown contenders".

Earlier, the Wisynco Group marketing manager said: "We are intrigued by the concept of the sponsorship because we have a history of engagement with the sporting and entertainment fraternity through our brands, Wata, Bigga, Coca Cola, Ocean Spray and Ciclon.

"Also, being fillies day at Caymanas Park, we found it a fitting occasion to honour women who have distinguished themselves as contributors to society's development."

She continued: "Bigga and Caymanas Track Limited on recognising such excellence have entered into a powerful partnership and will be honouring six women on Bigga Jamaica Oaks Day."

The honourees will include Ambassadors Cordel Wilson Evans, Patricia Durrant and Madge Barrett and Miss Vivia Betton.

The thousands of fans who are expected to be on hand to witness the big day will not be left out as Bigga and Wisynco will provide an exciting line-up of activities that include prizes and surprises, along with an electrifying concert entitled 'She's Royal'.

(Observer)