Racing enthusiasts will be in for some fabulous racing tomorrow at the Garrison Savannah when the Barbados Turf Club’s tenth and final day of the second racing season – the Barbados Thoroughbred Breeders Association Breeders Sales Raceday – rolls off from 1 p.m.
One can expect plenty speed and good payments from the very first race – the Dash Condition Race for two-year-olds (with preference given to importeds) down to the last race, number nine, the Final Handicap for horses rated 140 to 120 both races going 1 100 metres.
H and M-owned Lucky Adventure, having scorched the Savannah first time out, will be looking to end the season unbeaten despite taking the top impost of 123 pounds. Making their racing debut here are Storm Cat Glory, Snow Storm, Bandit and Just Cool Man.
Not the feature or among the supporting features, the Final Handicap should still command significant attention. Shared Adventure, once considered the fastest horse in the country, takes the top impost of 133 pounds in this event for three-year-old and older horses also rated 119 and below.
Having won this race last year, he will be seeking a return to form after turning in two subpar efforts in his last two tries. Vitality will have similar intentions as the reigning Spa Sprint champion turned in a shocking performance in his last attempt at the trip; his handicap weight is 125 pounds.
While for the above mentioned duo it will be about reassuring their fans that all hope is not lost, the very promising Wild Cat Tea, through sheer speed, has been galvanising his way into the hearts of fans, and his penny stamp weight of 110 pounds should make him a serious threat.
Be warned, though, that Seattle Sunshine at this very same stage last year with the identical speed and weight of Wild Cat Tea, met the imposing Shared Adventure, the results of which have left her totally unfamiliar with the winner’s enclosure.
A.P. Vincero (110) has run into good form since changing stables and will get to match that improvement against the island’s best sprinters.
The first of the supporting features, race three, the Sales Graduates Futurity Stakes Condition Race, will see Barbados-bred two-year-olds going 1 570 metres for the first time.
Midnight Run, the solitary winner in the field, tackles 121 pounds to the others who are fairly evenly matched at the scale. Alley Cat, Howulikedisname and Summer Again have thus far made favourable impressions with the public.
The Sale Graduates Vase Handicap for three-year-olds and older horses rated 70-52 over 1 800 metres is loaded with stayers. The top weight of 128 pounds goes to High Tide now racing in the silks of owner-trainer Jean Marc Cozier.
Captain Sully takes 127, Stratford Lad and Azkaban both shoulder 124 pounds while the clash between recent Derby winners 2012 – Bandera Belle (120) and (2014) Voldemort, carrying 116 pounds, is sure to further heighten the interest.
