EIGHT HORSES are down to contest the Val Gale Cup, the feature race for three-year-olds and over at weight for age going 1 800 metres tomorrow, the fourth day of the Barbados Turf Club’s second season. It’s the Val Gale Cup Race Day, and seven of the day’s eight races are named after winners of the event. The card has attracted 92 runners. In the feature race, Pure Temptation, Zoom, Apostle, and Preach To Me will all be taking 129 pounds, while Show Me The Money, Rocamadour and Charge It will each carry 126 pounds, and Bouncebak 124.Race 4 is the Talkaboutlucky Handicap for three-year-olds and over going 1 570 metres, and there is great anticipation with the return of 2008 United Barbados Derby winner Fresh Milk. Since winning that prestigious event, the Boston John-trained five-year-old has been plagued by injury, and though she may need the run before she returns to her winning ways, she gets the top weight of 130 pounds. Looking beyond Fresh Milk, surprise winner last time out Vandross, owned by EM&M, carries 114 pounds, and must have an excellent chance of recording back-to-back triumphs, after his dominant victory in the BTC Staff Handicap over the same distance, when he took 121 pounds. Bloumberg has been consistent and is overdue a visit to the winners’ enclosure, while Bram Stoker, in at 113 pounds, must be a factor. Charge It (double entered) takes 116 pounds here, after a disappointing run in the BTC Handicap last time out.Essien, having only his second start, shouldn’t be inconvenienced by the added distance after coming from way back to snatch fourth place in the Fresh Milk Handicap which went 1 000 metres. The grey colt takes 108 pounds, and really looks open to improvement, with a bright future ahead of him. Also in with an outside chance is Mark Goodridge’s Quick City carrying 108 pounds, after a creditable fourth, in the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company Trophy. The Kirov Lady Handicap, for three-year-olds and over going 1 800 metres, will see the return of the impressive Mingun Temple, winner of the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company Trophy over 1 570 metres. Mingun Temple will be seeking to make it two wins in a row when he tackles nine others in this event; he carries 115 pounds.The Saffie Joseph Jr-trained chestnut gelding Uncle Jerry takes the top weight of 130 pounds. He has been in good form, and his first visit to the winners’ circle for the year appears to be just around the corner.Sir David Seale’s three-year-old bay colt Reward Me goes with the penny stamp of 108 pounds and should attract the punters.The Feet On Flames Conditions Race for West Indian-bred three-year-old maidens, going 1 800 metres, should be another interesting affair. Thirteen are entered and top weight –125 pounds – goes to the Peter Arthur-trained, first-time starter Conquest.
