The?Heart and Stroke Foundation has joined forces with the Barbados Turf Club to stage the third race day of the first racing season at the Garrison Savannah starting at 1:45 p.m. tomorrow.
The headliner of the eight-race card is the Coolmore “Home Of Champions” Stakes and Trophy over 1 800 metres for top-rated horses. Usually seen as the final preparatory race before the Sandy Lane Gold Cup, it will be the afternoon’s seventh race.
Several races look like they could give headaches to punters. One is the Heart Disease Memorial Trophy Handicap over 1 800 metres.
Sea Gypsy will carry the top weight of 130 pounds in this race for three-year-old and older horses rated 55-75 and horses rated 54 and below.
Owned by Aysha Syndicate, she has been winless for a long time but has campaigned against much better company. Missed Storm, who is next in line at the weights on 126 pounds, ran well for a long while in her comeback race and should be much fitter this time around.
Uncle Jerry, set to shoulder 119 pounds, has disappointed in his most recent starts where he met unsuitable soft conditions. Chatter Box, carrying 110 pounds, was a recent winner and further improvement is expected although stepping up in class.
Proud Bajan registered his second career win last time out carrying 130 pounds and for this step up the rating ladder, he will benefit from a 20-pound weight differential. Whether that is enough to guarantee him a third win, is left to be seen.
Fans who like the speed events will relish race four, the Hard And Fast CPR Trophy Handicap over 1 100 metres for three-year-old and older horses rated 67-90 and horses rated 66 and below.
Top weight here goes to the out-of-form Blue Diamond Racing pair of Peaceful Envoy and Run Alke Run which are pencilled to carry 133 and 129 pounds respectively. The form of Janaki, which is being asked to shoulder 127 pounds, has been reasonable and despite returning from a little lay off, should give another honest effort.
Iamsogroovy, after her recent workmanlike win, now tackles tougher company and trainer Stephen Bynoe will no doubt be using this race as part her preparation plan to win the Sandy Lane Spa Sprint on Gold Cup Day. Nomoreginrog is another that can make them step despite the heavy impost of 127 pounds.
Owner Stephen Kellman will be hoping that his charge Johnny Sad Boy will continue his winning ways in the Staying Alive Sprint Trophy Handicap and make it three straight wins despite having a new trainer in Romario Alleyne. Top weight of 133 pounds in this race, for three-year-old and older horses rated 35-55 and horses rated 34 and below, goes to Reward Me.
