by Lindon Yarde
The pre-race activities for the staging of this year’s Sandy Lane Barbados
Gold Cup are gathering pace.
Yesterday’s press conference and draw for the golden day which was held at the Barbados Turf Club was interesting as always, with many of the horses’ connections expressing confidence of winning the $214 000 purse.
Bills Inc has two entries, Gandalf and Brave Star and one of the connections, George Elias, was upbeat at their chances.
“We’re here to win it and we going to win it, whether with Gandalf or Brave Star. Jockey Ricky Walcott is a master of pace,” he said.
Trainer Richard Deane will also send to the starter two horses, Infrared and Refire.
“Right now we are very happy with him,” he said of Refire. “He had lost form as he had small issues. It is a very competitive Gold Cup.”
Owner of
Northern Star
Mervyn Rollins said his charge had made good progress since recovering from injury.
“He is on the comeback trail from an operation. He won. He is working very well and we hope to keep him fit for the race,” he said.
Debutant Gold Cup trainer Rommel Lovell was also confident about his horse, Bodie Tap.
“He is a vastly improved horse who has won three of four races on the turf and is on the up. The sky the limit,” he said.
Randall Willkie, general manager of Sandy Lane, the title sponsor of the Gold Cup for the last 23 years, said it was a delight to witness the growth of the event each year.
He said the hotel had helped promote Barbados to the world, beaming live to an audience of over 300 million, contributing significantly to the island’s economy especially in the area of sports tourism.
BTC director David Murray expressed gratitude to Sandy Lane for its continued support.
BTC director (left) David Murray receiving the Gold Cup from Sandy Lane general manager Randall Wilkie.
(Picture courtesy Junior Franklyn/Barbados Turf Club.)
