Show Me The Money has been in terrific form leading into this year’s Sandy Lane Barbados Gold Cup.
Revenge is the theme his connections of owner Lord Michael Taylor and trainer Anderson Ward are seeking after the disappointment of last year’s event.
Having flashed past the winning post first in convincing fashion, the inquiry light could be seen burning like a beacon. It was for an objection of the unplaced Apostle alleging interference. That objection was upheld and what was minutes of jubilation swiftly turned to sorrow.
When the gates fly around 5 p.m on Saturday at the Garrison Savannah, one of the raging hot favourites is expected to put last year’s results to bed once and for all.
Trainer Ward has turned to million-dollar rider Patrick Husbands, who is renowned and respected worldwide. Husbands will be seeking his fourth Gold Cup success, having scored with Vardar (1990), Sharp Impact (2006) and Sterwins (2009).
Show Me The Money has recorded eight victories from 30 career starts. He has won four races at 1 570 metres, three at 1 800 metres and one at 2 000 metres.
At the Gold Cup trip, his most celebrated win came in the 2010 Queen’s Plate Handicap for horses rated 0-120. Further success in route races came in the Barbados Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association Garrison Turf Stakes and Trophy for West Indian-bred horses over 2 000 metres.
Very much on the improve and growing in reputation, he would tackle the top-rated 118-140 horses in three of his four starts since last year’s Cup. He encountered a rematch with the Garrison bully Apostle in the Val Gale Cup over 1 800 metres.
When the gates opened, he never got on terms and Apostle sailed home a wire-to-wire winner on level weights – 129 pounds – by a comfortable margin of a 5 ¼ lengths.
Next up was the T.A. Tommy Peirce Memorial Trophy Handicap over 1 570 metres. Show Me The Money raced alongside Apostle for the entire trip and earned a hard-fought neck victory.
Show Me The Money won the battle, but Apostle, despite finishing third three-quarters of a length back, won the war as he spotted his junior opponent 11 pounds.
The much anticipated Victor Chandler Stakes and Trophy over 1 570 metres was next. With no Apostle in the race, the son of Kit Fisto out of Pink Coral stepped up in weight (128), pulled his way to the front where he never heard hooves behind or saw any challengers. Show Me The Money cantered home a 2¾ lengths winner.
Show Me The Money’s final start was the Barbados Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association Garrison Turf Stakes for locally-bred four-year-olds and older over 2 000 metres.
His preparations for the pattern event have been going well but he is yet to beat the top-rated at Saturday’s distance, something that should be just a matter of time.
