TWO?OF?RACING’S brightest prospects will clash today in the feature British Airways Handicap over 1 570 metres on the Barbados Turf Club’s eighth race day at the Garrison Savannah.
Shared Adventure, without doubt the fastest horse at the track and winner of the recently concluded Sandy Lane Spa Sprint Stakes and Trophy, lines up against the most improved creole stayer in Aston Martin, winner of this year’s Tanglewood Stakes and Trophy over 2 000 metres.
The duo will square off against six others in this event for three-year-old and older horses rated 120-140 and also opened to horses rated 119 and below.
Whereas Shared Adventure has tormented most of this field over his pet distance of 1 100 metres, in his three attempts at today’s trip, he won the Ocala Breeders Sales Company Stakes and Trophy but was second and fourth behind recent Gold Cup winner Aristodemus in soft conditions.
His biggest threat here appears to be his impost of 130 pounds but this outstanding galloper will likely try to run his competition into the ground from the start of the race. He has won with this weight before and therefore as the real class horse in the field, will be the one to beat.
Aston Martin’s continued path to peak fitness reached its maximum when he destroyed his competition on Gold Cup day. Among those who felt the gust of his wind was former Gold Cup and Tanglewood winner Zoom.
At today’s trip, he won the 2012 Barbados Guineas and the light impost of 110 pounds is sure to work in his favour. However, this is the toughest assignment of his career as he lines up against the top class. Now seen as one of the best creoles, if not the best in training, one can expect a super effort.
If no one goes with Shared Adventure, he could easily steal this event. It is believed that Show Me The Money will be handed that assignment, one which he made a mockery of when they met in the 2012 Victor Chandler Stakes.
Although handicapped with 113 pounds, Show Me The Money will need a new lease on life to win here. Zoom is on the same streak and since gaining the stewards’ verdict in the 2011 Gold Cup he has been travelling a losing road.
Having failed at equal weights to turn back his more youthful competitor Aston Martin, he is worse off at the weights having to spot him eight pounds.
Giovedi was recently schooled from the gates to rectify problems he has been experiencing at the start and he will have to be in the correct frame of mind to be a factor. Purr Class need underfoot conditions to be her favour and the expected firm track should diminish her chances.
Little Man Arran is yet to prove himself against horses rated over 100 and until he accomplishes such, he remains hard to fancy, while A. P. Vincero is not seen as a treat.
My Picks
Race 1: Missed Storm
Race 2: Between
The Sheiks
Race 3: Lord Blackadder
Race 4: Chatter Box
Race 5: The Price Is Right
Race 6: Anskar
Race 7: Shared Adventure
Race 8: Midnight Express
