The green body and purple sleeves of Aysha Syndicate’s only taste of Gold Cup success came in 2007 when Whiskey For Me won the Sandy Lane Barbados Gold Cup.
As the countdown and buzz continue to the running of the 37th edition of the Gold Cup at the historic Garrison Savannah on Saturday, Just A Fashion’s name rings out loud.
None of the starters in this edition have run more times in this pattern race than Just A Fashion. However, in his previous three runs, he has left his camp and fans very disappointed as his performances have been unconvincing.
Now seven years old, Just A Fashion, a son of Old Fashion out of Heir To The Queen, has won a solitary race during the past year from seven starts. That win came at the middle distance of 1 570 metres last August.
He has proven he can stay the 1 800 metres Gold Cup trip, having scored back to back wins in the prep race, the Coolmore “Home Of Champions” Stakes.
He looked destined to make it three in succession recently until Northern Star moved by him in the dying stages of the latest edition of that race in January. The Aysha Syndicate’s seven-year-old bay horse Just A Fashion has a record of 14 wins in 36 track appearances.
Champion trainer Victor Cheeseman must be pleased with the form having earned a win and two second places in three of his last four outings. In three of those races he offered no competition to Infrared, and also went under to his Gold Cup conqueror in Dorsett.
If there is any consolation, it came in the form of seeing him return to his familiar running style of leading from the gates and setting good fractions. The Gold Cup is blessed with a horse of serious pace on the front end in Shining Copper.
Just A Fashion and Infrared are likely to be there ensuring a front-running battle which could easily set up the race for a close finish. (LY)