THE GARRISON Savannah was abuzz with activity yesterday as final preparations were being made for today’s 33rd running of the Sandy Lane Gold Cup.
When the SATURDAY SUN team visited the historic venue yesterday, race fans were busy trying to secure books of the day’s 11-race programme as well as purchasing the cheaper $50 tickets for the general area of the Grand Stand, which can accommodate over 1 000 patrons.
Some women were also seen cleaning the messy seats in the Grand Stand, where birds had deposited their droppings.
The world famous Merrymen band, led by veteran vocalist Emile Straker also went through their rehearsals on a stage, erected just in front the parade ring as they prepared for a special set today, which is expected to take race fans down memory lane.
Workmen were putting the final touches to the new all-inclusive Party Stand, where patrons will be feted throughout the day.
Barbados Turf Club’s (BTC) liaison officer Mohammed Mohamad, however, said all 441 tickets for seating the Grand Stand at a prize of $75 had been snapped up while the 54 tickets in the VIP section were also sold out at $100 each.
“It is going to be a great day. This is the first time ever that we will be having as many as 11 races in a day’s programme and I expect this to be one of the best Gold Cups for years,” Mohamad said.
Mohamad said the switch by the BTC from the traditional first Saturday in March to the second was a master stroke.
“We did our research and decided to change to this weekend to accommodate the Barmy Army and the large influx of visitors in Barbados for the England T20 series against the West Indies,” he said.
“We also found out that two cruise ships will be in Barbados at this time,” he added.
ezrastuart@nationnews.com
