The champion owner and two titans of horse racing will be at the centre of today’s staging of the richest and most prestigious race in the eastern Caribbean at the Garrison Savannah.
Sir Charles Williams and Sir David Seale are on a collision course with the formidable Blue Diamond Racing stable, the leading local owners, to collect the handsome first prize $214 000 and the glittering Sandy Lane Gold Cup when the race is run off at 5 p.m.
In what possibly is his sixth and final Gold Cup appearance and once track conditions are on the firm side, Sir Charles’ Apostle is the horse they will all have to beat.
But he will have to contend with Sir David’s Aristodemus and Blue Diamond’s Daga.
A win here will be the most fitting way for Apostle to make his exit from the track having headlined local racing for a decade. He has the class, experience and speed for this job and also a favourable draw.
If the conditions are altered by any act of nature, that should signal the end of a fantastic and awesome career for this red son of Bandsman out of Peace Token.
Aristodemus has improved like any good four-year-old should and in his first Gold Cup he finds himself carrying the mantle of his barn whose reputation since the inception of this race has been simply outstanding.
A short price on the tote board will also reflect what the public thinks of him as he is reportedly fit as a fiddle and raring to go.
Daga has come into form at the most opportune time in her career, having trotted home in the Coolmore “Home Of Champions” Stakes and Trophy over today’s trip. Trainer Anderson Ward has her fighting fit after she overcame a bout of fever.
A victory here will etch Ward’s name in the history pages as the first jockey and trainer to lift the coveted prize. One way or the other, track conditions won’t bother her and it would be just a matter of avoiding traffic.
Discreetwon, like Aristodemus, is very much on the improve. As a matter of fact his record at the trip surpasses that of the latter. However the loud whisper being heard in racing circles for Aristodemus lifting the Cup squarely rests on the breeding of his sire, Giant Causeway.
The reality is that breeding doesn’t win races and you have to run to triumph. Discreetwon also has a fantastic chance of a top-four finish position while Just Call Me Roger, representing Trinidad and Tobago, comes here in good form and condition.
He is no stranger to the Garrison and his trainer Glen Mendez is among the best in the twin-island republic and has to be respected.
Giovedi is one which could wake up at a nice long price. Of the others, the defending champion Dancin David will prefer a little more time but unfortunately time has now expired. One can’t substitute class and with the Gold Cup being a daunting assignment, the others have issues in that department.
My Picks
Race 1: Shared Decision
Race 2: Wild Orchid
Race 3: Foxy Browne
Race 4: Cabin Boy
Race 5: Shared Adventure
Race 6: Byhookorbycreek
Race 7: Aston Martin
Race 8: Northern Sheriff
Race 9: Apostle
Race 10: Fusaichi Ridge
