NOT EVEN LADY WILLIAMS was able to improve Sir Charles’ luck.
If only someone could show him the money.
Lord Michael Taylor will be in the running for another big pay day at the Caribbean’s most prestigious race after his horse Show Me The Money pulled post position No. 1 for a second successive Sandy Lane Gold Cup.
The former champion owner came out as the day’s biggest winner during yesterday’s Brunch For The Stars’ draw for gate positions at the Bougainvillea Spa in Sandy Lane.
The same couldn’t be said, though, for Sir Charles Williams, whose eight-year-old gelding Apostle received yet another unfavourable position when Lady Williams pulled No. 13 – just one spot better than last year’s 14.
“I asked my wife to pull hoping to get better than 12, well I got one worse,” joked Sir Charles after his frustrations were clearly heard following another outside draw.
“But I will say that historically in racing, 13 has been my lucky number. I won the Derby in 1997 carrying No. 13 and I won the Derby last year on the 13th of August so I’m hoping that I’m third time lucky. It’s also my wife’s lucky number so all I have to do now is pray.”
“Now, Show Me The Money obviously has a tremendous advantage because he is a front-runner,” he added.
And that pole position clearly favours the eight-year-old gelding, who broke early for the rail on the way to passing the post first in last year’s Gold Cup.
However, that initial decision was rescinded following a lengthy process, as Apostle’s connections lodged a protest claiming Show Me The Money’s jockey, Jalon Samuel, impeded their horse’s path on the stretch run.
“I shall be comfortable [only until] two minutes after the race,” laughed Lord Michael in clear reference to last year’s controversy.
Peak of form
“[But] it’s a horse capable of coming out of the boxes early [though] so it could get a good inside position and maintain (it) for most of the race so I’m very happy with the draw.”
“And he’s absolutely at the peak of his form, I couldn’t ask for anymore. [Trainer] Andy Ward has done a superb job because he’s ready at the right time.”
If Show Me The Money does indeed make good on the its much-hyped talent, it would be the third time in five years a Lord Michael Taylor-owned horse won the Gold Cup, following victories by Pure Temptation and Daylight Express in 2008 and 2009 respectively.
It could’ve been three wins in four races were it not for Samuel’s eagerness.
He may not get the chance to make that gaffe on Show Me The Money again though, with Canadian-based champion jockey Patrick Husbands rumoured to take the saddle after Lord Michael revealed that Samuel wasn’t his choice for the race.
Similar to crowd-favourite Apostle, defending champion Zoom was also given an outside gate position after trainer Edward Walcott pulled No. 12.
But rather unlike Sir Charles, Walcott is looking at Show Me The Money like any other competitor as Zoom is at peak condition ahead of the March 3 race.
“You fear everyone. There are 12 horses out there and I’ve got 11 to fight with,” said Walcott.
“We’re running against 90 percent of the same horses so it’s just to train him the same way to do his best. [And] for me, he’s done everything that we have asked him and he’s well and done everything we’ve wanted.”
