Today, MIDWEEK?NATION racing reporter Lindon Yarde assesses the chances of six entrants in Saturday’s Sandy Lane Gold Cup at the Garrison Savannah.
Apostle
Owner: Sir Charles Williams
Trainer: Andrew Nunes, champion trainer.
Record: 14 wins, one second, nine thirds, four fourths from 37 starts
At Gold Cup distance: 16 occasions, winning five times
Apostle will now be facing the starter in this event a record six times with two third-placed finishes being his best results. His record has stood the test of time and his style of running has been lethal at this level of competition.
Apostle came under starter’s orders three times, a sign that all has not been well with him. He beat the field in the Amstel Cup only to have his winning position reversed. He then made all the running in the BTBA Breeders’ Classics holding on by a neck.
It is known he will need track conditions to be in his favour and not for the first time, his age will be questioned. I would venture to say that age is just a number and this will be the weakest Gold Cup opposition he has faced. If there are any questions it will be about his fitness but certainly not his class or form.
Erados
Owner: Gay Smith
Trainer: Edward Walcott Jnr
Record: six wins, four seconds, seven thirds, two fourths from 30 starts
At Gold Cup distance: seven times, no wins
Erados started nine times during the past year, winning twice. He first defeated horses rated 118-140 over 1 570 metres with the penny stamp of 113 pounds. His next victory came in the BTBA Bonaventure Garrison Turf Stakes and Trophy for Barbados-bred horses, shouldering 129 pounds.
The other performances of note were third and fourth place finishes behind Discreetwon and Apostle. His trainer has picked his spots for him nicely. He has reasonable form and fitness but he will definitely be up against it in the class department.
Aristodemus
Owner: Sir David Seale
Trainer: Liz Deane
Record: four wins, two seconds, one fourth from nine starts
At Gold Cup distance: two times, no wins
Aristodemus has displayed all the signs of a future champion in the making. He really excelled as a late three-year-old good enough to win the Victor Chandler Stakes and Trophy over 1 570 metres for the top rated horses. Prior to that win he ripped the heart out of horses rated 80-100.
Yet to win over 1 800 metres, he represented his stable well with a game second place in the Coolmore Home Of Champions Stakes and Trophy at that distance. That race has certainly helped to establish him as one of the favourites for the Cup.
Giovedi
Owner: Bill and Haley Blevins
Trainer: Jonathan Simpson
Record: four wins, five seconds, two thirds from 18 starts
At Gold Cup distance: five times, one win
Giovedi has started seven times scoring the solitary victory over horses rated 118-140 going 1 570 metres. That win gave way to some very poor performances at the hands of Dancin David, Aristodemus and Daga.
He next defeated horses rated 105-125 in the E. Keith Walcott Q. C. Memorial Handicap over 1 570 metres. He is an enigmatic sort and his class and form can be questioned.
Show Me The Money
Owner: Blue Diamond Racing; champion owner
Trainer: Anderson Ward
Overall record: eight wins, seven seconds, five thirds, five fourths from 39 starts
At Gold Cup distance: 11 times, three wins
Show Me The Money has started eight times since last year’s Gold Cup and has struggled to string together acceptable performances against the top rated horses.
His best effort was a second place finish behind Apostle in the BTBA Breeders’ Classic over 1 800 metres for Barbados-bred horses. It was a race he should have won and one could first question the choice of jockey.
That was further compounded by the type of ride the apprentice delivered. That defeat was followed by two horrible efforts and Show Me The Money is now clearly struggling for form. He has to rely on what little class he has.
Kendal Moon
Owner: Sir Charles Williams
Trainer: Andrew Nunes
Records: Seven wins, three seconds, two thirds, three fourths from 18 starts
At Gold Cup distance: Four times, one win
Kendal Moon can join Zoom and become the first filly and second horse to win the coveted Gold Cup and the Tanglewood. During her post-Derby campaign she never once appeared ready to re-enter winner’s enclosure.
Her main conquerors have been Erados, Discreetwon, Aristodemus, Meteorite and Apostle with her best effort being a third place.
