PATRICK?HUSBANDS?was the undisputed star of the 33rd running of the Sandy Lane Barbados Gold Cup over 1 800 metres at the Garrison Savannah last Saturday.
Before landing the pattern event on the Barbados Turf Club’s sixth race day, Husbands had earlier taken care of business by winning the supporting features – the 11th Sandy Lane Spa Sprint, worth $40 000, over 1 100 metres and the 12th Tanglewood Stakes, worth $70 000, over 2 000 metres, both Grade I and trophy races.
In a flawless display, Major Marvel provided Husbands with his treble on the day that he led all riders. The eight-year-old gelding was superbly positioned in second place throughout the race and never really came under any serious pressure.
When asked to accelerate just inside the quarter pole he responded nicely, and in a matter of strides it was all over.
Trinidad and Tobago’s representative Nominee ran a game race to grab second spot.
Having raced along the rails for the first three quarters of a mile, he was then switched to the outside to challenge. However, turning into the lane, he did not quicken as was required.
Dashing David was given a rousing start by his rider but he was outpaced and was relegated deep down the field.
He was still in the race turning for home and, having saved ground, he impressively surged late in the closing stages to take third place.
Shared Adventure stalked the leading duo throughout but moved into a stronger position at the quarter mark when he tried to reel in eventual winner Major Marvel.
Shared Adventure failed to carry through with that momentum in mid-stretch that saw Nominee and Dashing David run by him, but he held on for fourth.
Discreetwon, an outsider at 20-1, was a back marker before closing widest of all for fifth place.
Areutalkintome set sharp fractions, for which he was found wanting when reaching the starting point, and faded to sixth. Daga raced mid-pack but never made any impression.
Knight Rider, another mid-pack runner, found the going rough and the class too much as he took eighth, while Jakesam contended in the middle without ever threatening.
Aristodemus was a shadow of himself compared to last year and at no time did he get into the race, while Indian Officer took up residency at the back from the start and never traded.
The Husbands show had earlier started in the Spa Sprint when he hustled the Blue Diamond Racing’s Vitality to the lead. He was never headed despite an early rattle from Seattle Sunshine and a mid-stretch effort by A. P. Vincero who had to settle for third.
His Tanglewood success on Sir Charles Williams’ Derby winner Kendal Moon was a gem of a ride that was made to look to simple. Husbands tucked her in mid-pack against the rails for the first five furlongs.
Into the back stretch, he took her to the outside for a clear run. Kendal Moon gradually gained on the leaders before seizing the initiative for an overdue win.
