Jalon Samuel produced a masterful ride on board Public Sector to win the 43rd Sandy Lane Barbados Gold Cup at the Garrison Savannah this evening in 1 minute 51.3 seconds.
In the process, he continued to make history at the historic racing venue, winning the prestigious title for the unprecedented seventh time.
Few who watched the early going could have expected such a result.
Samuel and Public Sector sat well off the pace in penultimate place in the ten-horse field.
Deccan Prince, ridden by Rico Walcott; Bulldoze, with Kyle Walker on board; Sir London, piloted by Rocco Bowen and Portfolio Company, with Rey Williams did most of the early running.
But proving just how much of an understanding he has of the mount and the turf, Samuel made his move in the middle of the turn with just about a quarter mile to go.
He went wide – very wide – and commentator Dr Dean Springer did not have him in the reckoning, all the focus still on Deccan Prince and Bulldoze. Public Sector quickly closed in the turn and picked up even more speed on the outside, leaving the race almost too close to call.
In the end, he got home ahead of Smokin’ T, pushing Bulldoze to third place and Divin Propos fourth.
It was the second successive Gold Cup win for trainer Rommel Lovell. (SAT)
