It will be action galore tomorrow at the Garrison Savannah.
The Sandy Lane Barbados Gold Cup Race Day – the fifth day of the Barbados Turf Club’s first season – features 109 entrants competing in ten races.
This exciting card, which starts at noon, will also see performances from the Royal Barbados Police Force Band and the Sandy Lane Majorettes.
One hour and 20 minutes has been set aside for this spectacular show which begins immediately following the running of Race 8 – the Green Monkey Trophy Handicap over 1 800 metres.
Heavy rain throughout the morning yesterday has left the track soft and should the conditions remain that way, some horses [those bracketed] will come directly into the reckoning.
In that event, the Aysha Syndicate-owned Fusaichi Ridge, top weighted at 130 pounds, would fight for victory with the likes of Great Goomba, Aysha’s Time and (Proud Bajan) – all handicapped to carry the light impost of 108 pounds.
The first of two supporting features is Race 5, the Tanglewood Stakes & Trophy for West Indian-bred four-year-olds and over, a weight-for-age event over 2 000 metres.
In this test of stamina, United Insurance Derby winner Kendal Moon (120) is favoured but the Sir Charles Williams-owned filly will first have to catch speedster Captain Sully (129).
Also in contention are Heavenly Angel (124) and the inform Island Memories (125) who has won his last two races.
The second feature, Race 7 – the Sandy Lane Spa Sprint Stakes & Trophy (Grade 1R.-Bar) for three-year-olds and over – also a weight-for-age event – will be a speed showcase over 1 100 metres.
The Lord Michael Taylor-owned Vitality (130) is expected to lock horns with (Rocamadour), Areutalkintome and closers Preach To Me, Bipin and Peaceful Envoy, all carrying 132 pounds.
Race 10 is the Bajan Blue Restaurant Trophy Handicap for three-year-old and older horses rated 73-95 and also open to horses rated 72 and below over 1 570 metres.
Entered are Sir David Seale’s pair of Dancin David (128) and Surinan (127) who are also entered in the Gold Cup and the Tanglewood Stakes & Trophy respectively. Should both take their chances, they should find it is no walk in the park.
Other entrants are Istanbul (122) who is returning to his favourite trip; last race day’s winner, the imported A.P Vincero, (108), now stepping up in class, and the nicely handicapped Victor Ludorum (110) are all capable of winning.
The L’Acajou Restaurant Trophy Handicap for three-year-old and older horses rated 48-70 and also open to horses rated 47 and below, goes over 1 570 metres.
In Division A, the David Yearwood-trained Thunder Bird, with 126 pounds, has been in good form, while the top weight of 130 pounds might just prove too much for Reprise. Lune De Barachois (120) and Fur Real (119) should also be considered.
In Race 6, Division-B, Glen Stables-owned Vandross carries top weight of 130 pounds. Tornade (124) and Uncle Jerry (123) could all find themselves fighting to the finish. They are all at the top of their form with Vandros and Tornade recording last effort wins.
Vandross took the Diamonds International Mont Blanc Tribute Handicap for horses rated 45-70 over 1 100 metres, while Margo Atkinson’s Tornade landed the Rotherley Construction Inc. No Compromise Handicap for horses rated 38-60 over 1 570 metres.