When the first subscription date passed on January 7 for the 30th running of the Sandy Lane Barbados Gold Cup, 22 horses had been nominated.
The 1800 metres-race, which is set to run off on Saturday, March 5, has a total purse of $200 000, with the winner pocketing $115 000, second place $45 000, third place $25 000 and fourth position $15 000, as well as the coveted Gold Cup.
In addition, on Gold Cup day there will be the two supporting feature races; first the ninth Tanglewood Stakes and Trophy over 2 000 metres, with the winner set to take home $40 000; second place $15 500, third $8 500, and fourth position $6 000.
Second is the eighth Sandy Lane Spa Sprint over 1 100 metres with a total payout of $40 000, from which the winner will pocket $23 000, second will receive $9 000, third place will get $5 000 and fourth place the sum of $3 000.
To date the Sandy Lane Gold Cup has attracted 15 runners from Barbados, three from Canada, one from United States, one from Trinidad and Tobago and two from St Kitts.
The local contingent is headed by last year’s first runner up Bribon, and include Apostle, Areyoutalkintome, Bird Watch, Charge It, Duc De Fer, Spicey Tiger, Zoom, Mingun Temple, Rocomadour, John Bryan, Reward Me, Preach To Me, Pure Temptation and Show Me The Money.
Canada took the cup last year with the Eugene Melnyk-owned Sterwins, but this time around Melnyk has Steward Hill and Safety Zone wearing his royal blue body with gold emblem, gold selves with royal blue band and gold cap outfit.
Also representing Canada is the David Seale-owned Dancing David.
Trinidad has nominated the Tres Amigos-owned Just Call Me Roger and America’s lone nominee is the N. Callaghan and A. Thompson-owned Jairzihno St Kitts will take part for the first time in the history of this race having nominated the Arthur Sharpe pair of Al Portador and Bad Action which ran fifth last year for previous owner Gay Smith.
The Joseph Brothers-owned Walk On By looks set to defend his crown in the ninth running of the Tanglewood Stakes and Trophy, and is among 17 horses entered at the closure of the first subscription.
St Kitts has nominated two runners in Sligoville and Esquire, both owned by Arthur Sharpe.
The others from Barbados in the line-up are Amanyara, Apostle, Bouncebak, Captain Sully, Show Me The Money, Don Portalsonny, Island Lad, Sea Gypsy, Eye Of The Tiger, Silk N Satin, Zergar, Zoom, Heavenly Angel and Gone Prospecting.
If it is speed you are looking for, then you are sure to get it in the Sandy Lane Spa Sprint over 1 100 metres.
This speed fest has attracted 15 nominees, headed by double crown winner of this event, the Aysha Syndicate-owned Who’s Cruisin.
Set to go with him are stablemates Who’s To Say, Time D’or, Azwa, Bloumberg, Dark Knight, Kingdora, Peaceful Envoy, Purr Class, Run Alke Run, Rush Cutter, Spicey Tiger and Super Star from host country Barbados.
Our regional counterparts from St Kitts again have shown interest in the speed event, entering Arthur Sharpe’s duo of Anansi and Atabaas Pride.
