Samuel looking to make it five Gold Cup wins

Today is the fifth day of the Barbados Turf Club’s first racing season for 2020, and nine races are carded for the Garrison Savannah, with the first race starting at 12:15 pm.

The days’ feature race is the Sandy Lane Barbados Gold Cup (GR.!. - INT - BAR) for 3-year-olds and older, going 1 800 metres, carrying a total purse of $239 000 and a much-sought after minted Gold Cup, with the winner receiving $120 000 and the Gold Cup.

The race is the eighth on the nine race card, and is scheduled to start at 5 pm.

Eight horses are declared to run, in what is expected to be a very competitive race and all eyes will be on the defending champion - Celestial Storm, with jockey Rasheed Hughes. She carries 125 pounds, always gives of her best, and should be in with a chance of repeating last year’s win.

Night Prowler, carries 129 pounds with jockey Jalon Samuel in the saddle. He was only beaten a short head by Celestial Storm in the Coolmore “Home of Champion” Stakes. Today, he will be looking to turn the tables. Samuel with four Gold Cup wins, seems to thrive on the big races and should also be in with a winning chance.

Sir David Seale has brought in Renaisance Frolic, a 5-year-old bay gelding from the USA for the race; big things are expected from him, as he is a very classy type, who on form could win this race. Rico Walcott has the leg up on him. How sweet it would be for him to win, after going through a health problem this same time two years ago. He also carries 129 pounds.

Bodie Tap, carries 129 pounds, and is another with lots of ability, since reaching peak fitness after six months off, he will also be right up there with the others at the finish. Ricky Walcott has the leg up.

Another that could make it interesting... is Rising Star. He takes 125 pounds. He was beaten only 3 1/2 lengths by Celestial Storm, in the Coolmore, which was his first run on the Garrison track and with that race under his girth he should be a better horse today. Chris Husbands will be the jockey aboard.

There are two supporting feature races, and the firsst to be run is race four, the XV11 Sandy Lane Spa Sprint, for 3-year-olds and older, going 1 100 metres.

A full gate of 12 will face the starter, in what is expected to be one of the most competitive sprint races in recent times, with horses like, Joshua, Radial Flyer, Voldemort, the unknown Masaru and King Leo in the mix.

The other supporting feature is race six, the XV!!! Tanglewood Stakes for West Indian bred 4-year-olds and over, racing 2 000 metres.

This is also a very competitive race, where ten will face the starter. Gandalf, if left alone on the front, could be the horse to beat. Butterfly will love the 2 000 metres, while Good Vibration will give of her best. (CH)