In horse racing there are no sure winners and nothing can be taken for granted.
The first jewel of the Barbados Triple Crown is fewer than 72 hours away and without too much fuss the Mark Armstrong-owned talented colt Aston Martin has asserted himself as the clear favourite or the horse most likely to win the Triple Crown – The Barbados Guineas, over 1 570 metres, the Midsummer Creole Classic, over 1 800 metres, and The Barbados Derby, over 2 000 metres.
Should Aston Martin land the series he will join an elite group of six horses and bring much-deserved fame to trainer Victor Cheeseman.
Cheeseman has persevered nonchalantly for many years. Victory for him would be even sweeter since he generally does not get to train the top-rated horses that would compete in the major races.
Aston Martin has captured stakes races of significance in impressive and convincing fashion, namely Diamonds International Mont Blanc Challenge Stakes and Trophy (Gr.1R.-Bar) and the Barbados Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association Stakes and Trophy (Gr.11RB.-Bar) both at Saturday’s trip.
With three-year-old winners emerging at will, Aston Martin’s credentials, talent and enthusiasm will be severely tested in racing’s most-heralded series. One thing is certain – that the champion two-year-old of 2011 will start firm favourite for the series beginning Saturday.
While I cannot predict the future in my search for a Triple Crown winner, I am seeing a serious trend and threat.
It’s the combination of champion breeder Sir Charles Williams and trainer Andrew Nunes. Early last year they introduced the speedy Chimichurri, who made an immediate impact second jump out, winning with time to spare.
Chimichurri has not graced the track since and this only seems to agitate his connections. As a result, they have launched a series of assaults on the three-year-olds.
They sent out Vapour Trail and this daughter of Happy Memories and Sky Beauty has burnt up the track; her record stands at three wins from as many starts. They have all been impressive, especially her last triumph.
She was settled just off the pace for a change before scoring in the Realtors Limited Trophy Condition race over 1 100 metres. It will be interesting to see how she handles the confrontation ahead.
From Kendal Racing’s arsenal next came Open Secret and this daughter of Moon Solitaire out of Derby winner Secret Habitat was the most impressive. Having swung for home three from last, she got up to score in the Grand Stand Posse Paul Best Trophy Handicap division-B over 1 570 metres, which is an ominous sign.
Oxford Street galloped out of the gates and took the Foster House Luxury Villa Trophy Handicap, exposing another available option for his connections. Memory Lane became Kendal Racing’s final winner going into the Triple Crown when she ran past the field in the Aston Martin Trophy Handicap division-B over 1 570 metres.
