The 2014 horse racing season will race off today with one of the most open races scheduled to see nine of the best stayers in Barbados taking on former Gold Cup runner, the imported Grace Chapel, in the featured Fitz Gill Memorial Handicap for three-year-old and older horses, over 1 800 metres.
Spearheading the local challenge is the Lady Williams owned Bandera Belle who will once again be going all out to revisit the winner’s enclosure, having not done so since August 2012 when she upset the field to take the United Insurance Derby.
She has been close before in the past 18 months, and today could see her reconnecting with the photographer. Stablemate Grace Chapel, if one is to go by the trend of imported horses defeating locals, will have her work cut out in trying to sustain Bandera Belle’s momentum.
Grace Chapel recently finished ahead of Bandera Belle but could be hard-pressed to repeat those placings with a clean clear trip.
Another challenger from the Nunes’s stable – Open Secret, is due another visit to the winner’s enclosure. Her form has been plagued recently with critical jockey errors that have cost her in most cases, so a much higher position is a real possibility.
Zouk’s Girl, who is out of 2006 Triple Crown winner Zouk, had what can be described as a settling down season with fairly good returns, and trainer Simpson will be looking to enhance her performances as the more prestigious races of the year beckons. The Tanglewood Stakes could very well be within her radar.
Roar’s form has been engulfed in severe turbulence from late May, as his six starts have seen him surrender no fewer than 56 lengths all told. Those statistics leave one with little choice but to look elsewhere to find a winner.
Stratford’s Lad has been in good form, winning his last start in good fashion and as he now steps up in company, it is likely he won’t have things his own way on the front end and could be forced to deploy unusual tactics in order to develop a winning habit.
Gold Mind scored in his last effort back in August, unfortunately he has not been seen since then. This gives the impression that all was not well after that race. He will more than likely need this run and should be watched for now.
Janak’s Gold was a game third behind Stratford’s Lad and his efforts throughout his career have been largely rewarded in the third or fourth positions. Based on that, one suspects he will start the new year on the same old note.
Victor Ludorum reeled off a win against horses rated 45-65, which was followed by a second-place effort against horses rated 55-75 where he usually has an abysmal record, so he could use a softer spot here.
After reeling off a streak of four consecutive third-placed positions, Majestical’s form has suddenly caused severe pains to the pockets of his backers as he has consistently failed to find a place at the regular distances, so with him it could go either way.
My selections:
Race 1: Victini
Race 2: Cavanak
Race 3: Zouk’s Girl
Race 4: Domineering
Race 5: Just Jiving
Race 6: Sylvia Helen
Race 7: La Boehme
Race 8: Cinnamon Jane
Race 9: Who’s My Girl
