Golden Touch

Jalon Samuel wrote his name in the pages of history yesterday with a record fifth title of the prestigious Sandy Lane Gold Cup, as Sir David Seale made it number eight as an owner in the most anticipated race at the Garrison Savannah.

A large crowd was on hand for the fifth day of the Barbados Turf Club’s 2020 racing season,  to witness the XXXIX Sandy Lane Barbados Gold Cup.It was the feature race, (GR.1 - INT- BAR) for three-year-olds and older going 1800 metres, on the nine race card, sponsored by Sandy Lane Hotel, and it carried a total purse of $239 000 plus a beautifully minted Gold Cup.

Eight horses faced starter Mark Batson, and it was excitement from the time he sent them on their way. First out of the gates was Burndines, from Antigua, setting some really quick early fraction with Renaisance Frolic in close contention.

Turning to go up the back stretch these two continued to lead, with Samuel on Night Prowler in fifth. Reaching the three furlong marker, Ricky Walcott on the Mark Goodridge-  owned Bodie Tap, trained by Rommel Lovell, surged to the front as both Burndines and Renaisance Frolic started to drop out of contention.

At the same time, Jalon Samuel on the Sir David Seale owned Night Rider, trained by Elizabeth Dean, made his move following Bodie Tap to the front.

These two were in the lead as they turned for home and it was a two horse race, with Bodie Tap leading the way in the side by side sprint for the line. But with less than 20 metres to go, Bodie Tap, who had been off the track for six months with an injury, began to shorten,  as Night Rider went on to win the XXXIX running of the Sandy Lane Barbados Gold Cup, while at the same time giving Jalon Samuel his fifth success in the race,and being the only rider to win the Gold Cup five times. It also gave trainer Elizabeth ‘Liz’ Deane her fourth success in the race. More astonishing, is the fact that it puts the ninth Gold Cup in the Hopefield cabinet.

These two were in the lead as they turned for home and it was a two horse race, with Bodie Tap leading the way in the side-by- side sprint for the line. But with less than 20 metres to go, Bodie Tap, who  had been off the track for six months with an injury, began to shorten, as Night Rider went on to win the XXXIX running of the Sandy Lane Barbados Gold Cup, while at the same time giving Jalon Samuel his fifth success in the race,and being the only rider to win the Gold Cup five times. It also gave trainer Elizabeth ‘Liz’ Deane her fourth success in the race. More astonishing, is the fact that it puts the ninth Gold Cup in the Hopefield cabinet.

There were two supporting feature races, the first to run was race four – the XVII Sandy Lane Spa Sprint Stakes and Trophy, for West Indian bred 3-year-olds and over, going 1100 metres, with a total purse of $76 250 and a trophy.

Twelve horses faced the starter in this one, and as he sent them on their way, it was the A & A Racing and Mr. Arjay owned Sir Jimmy, trained by Richard Deane and ridden by Antonia Whitehall, that tried to make it a gate to wire win. However, as they turned for the run to the wire, Rasheed Hughes asked the Sir David Seale owned Masaru for an effort, and the four-year-old bay gelding responded and went on to an easy victory from Sir Jimmy. Finishing third was Kariba Star.

The second supporting feature was race six, the Tanglewood Stakes and Trophy for West Indian Bred 4-year-olds and over, going 2000 metres, carrying a total purse of $93 250 and a trophy.

Ten horses faced the starter for this one, and out of the gates quickly was Gandalf, owned by Bills Inc, trained by Victor Cheeseman and ridden by Jalon Samuel, who could be seen from early was going to try and make it a gate to wire win.

Turning for the run to the wire there were still no challengers. With half of a furlong to go, the Gay Smith owned Butterfly, trained by Edward Walcott Jr, and ridden by Antonia Bishop, could be seen closing, but Samuel had too much horse power under him and went on to win by 11⁄2 lengths. The Nicholas Moutett owned Sing Sing, trained by Robert Peirce and ridden by Eric Daniel was third.

Jalon Samuel and Rasheed Hughes had the honours of the jockeys, both booting home

two winners; while trainers Elizabeth ‘Liz’ Deane and Victor Cheeseman both saddled two winners. Racing continues on Saturday, March 21 (CH)