ONE RACE that will almost certainly match the Sandy Lane Barbados Gold Cup on Saturday is the 11th edition of the Tanglewood Stakes and Trophy for West Indian bred horses over 2 000 metres.
The form of the major contenders is extremely pleasing especially those handled by champion trainer Andrew “Busha” Nunes.
Last year’s United Barbados Derby winner Bandera Belle leads the cast that includes Cinnamon Jane, Lady Quill, Open Secret and Roars.
Don’t take your eyes off any of Nunes’ charges as they can strike when least expected. One example was when Bandera Belle won last year’s Derby at 38-1 odds. She was then narrowly defeated by Lady Quill over 1 570 metres, followed up by an unplaced effort in the next outing.
Lady Quill looks to be Nunes’s major weapon. Three of her career six wins have come over 1 800 metres, including her maiden success and defeat of opposition rated 58-80 and 63-85.
Cinnamon Jane’s lone 1 800 metres victory over horses rated 80-100 may just be enough to rate her alongside Open Secret and Roars to complete trainer Nunes’ arsenal for this event.
Another leading contender is Aston Martin, who after being a major disappointment in last year’s Derby now seems back to himself. The horse is yet to win beyond 1 570 metres but had a superb effort when he just failed to catch Erados in the Bonaventure Garrison Turf Stakes and Trophy over the Tanglewood trip.
Summer Time has recently run into some bad luck. She lost her rider going down to the start and was withdrawn, immediately followed by her sustaining a fall in her last race. For all that she should still be respected as an honest filly.
The double-entered Zoom is the only horse to win this race and the Gold Cup – the latter in the steward’s room. He has found winning with the big guns a tough assignment.
As he now seeks a second success in this event, his class must be considered, therefore making him a very good option.
Island Memories’ poor form gave way to a win in the Harry Hunn Memorial Handicap for horses rated 70-90 over 2 000 metres. He now needs to continue that momentum.
The final piece of this amazing puzzle is the Kittitian invasion with Esquire and Odin.
Not much is known of their form for last year, but they competed in the Caribbean Nations Racing Challenge at Santa Rosa Park in Trinidad in 2011.
Esquire was a commendable third in the West Indian bred Turf Stayers Challenge over 1 700 metres while Odin, who appears to be the sprinting type, finished fourth in the West Indian Sprint Challenge over 1 200 metres on the same track.
