An additional?week might just be the ideal amount of time needed for trainer Edward Walcott Jnr to get Galaxy in top shape for this year’s United Insurance Barbados Derby.
It is always wise not to challenge Mother Nature and the Barbados Turf Club and the sponsor – United Insurance Company Limited – postponed last weekend’s race day. Although good weather prevailed for most of the day, the tropical storm watch placed on Barbados was enough to convince the organizers that safety of people, animals and material was paramount.
Of the 12 entered for the 73rd edition of the Derby, Galaxy, owned by Gay?Smith, would welcome the delay. This son of Thady Quill out of Peace Angel has been very consistent, only racing at the 1 570 metres distance before suffering an untimely injury setback. After entering the Midsummer Creole Classic, the second jewel of the Triple Crown, he was a non-starter.
This gelding made his debut with a fourth-place finish in the Newcastle Trophy Condition Race. One start later, he confirmed his immense potential by scoring a length and a half victory over eight opponents in the Diamonds International Gift Condition Race Division-B.
Galaxy’s 2012 campaign got off to an impressive start and seems set to continue with the Classic just down the road. He ran champion two-year-old Aston Martin to the line, eventually finishing one length behind in second in the Grade III Barbados Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association’s Breeders’ Stakes and Trophy on January 21.
It was a pleasing performance where he gave his all and his connections could feel very pleased with the effort on that afternoon. Even more satisfying was the fact that the race track was reportedly good to soft, showcasing the gelding’s versatility on all surfaces.
The Michael Parravicino Memorial Hopeful Breeders’ Stakes & Trophy was next on his programme. In that event, his jockey found himself in loads of trouble at critical junctures. By the time he cleared the impending danger, he found himself a head short of denying the filly Finbar the victory in the Grade II race.
Galaxy’s fifth and final career start on April 28 bought him another fourth-place finish in the Grade I Barbados Guineas where the crème de la crème of the local three-year-olds met. Noticeably, when asked a question by regular jockey Antonio Bishop, he gave an unusually slow response hence his final position behind Aston Martin, Rickoshey and Iamsogroovy.
Reports from the camp at Springhead are that Galaxy is now 100 per cent fit and will give it his all seeking to capture the first Derby for Springhead Stable. The glittering cup which will be presented along with the attractive purse of $110 000 would sit well on Springhead’s trophy cabinet.
That has already been graced with prizes such as three Sandy Lane Gold Cups, and several trophies including one Tanglewood Stakes, one Sandy Lane Spa Sprint Stakes, one Barbados Guineas and one Midsummer Creole Classic.
