The Barbados Turf Club’s second season of racing runs off today Saturday, and the action is expected to be hot. The inform Javalier, owned by Victor Syndicate can be one of the stars of the show when the dust is settled at the historic Garrison Savannah.
Javalier scored a comfortable victory last start, and is favoured by yours truly to open the Happy Mother’s Day Raceday with a repeat win in the 5:20 p.m. feature named the Regimental Historian’s Wedding Day Trophy Handicap at the home of racing in Barbados.
This race, with Javalier starting from gate number three, against seven solid opponents, should make for an interesting affair. She has previously beaten Oberoi, King of Cool and Brigadier Wood quite easily, but now has to add Justice League and Ceroc to the challengers, as she tackles horses rated 75-57.
Ceroc went very close to winning in his last effort and Justice League tries for a hat trick of wins here. Justice League’s last two victories came over the sprint trip, but stretching out to 1570 metres should not be a problem as his maiden win last year came at this distance.
He is still very much on an upward curve and can use his speed to stop Javalier entering the winners’ enclosure. Meanwhile, Ceroc will want to improve on his second place effort and go one place better.
Oberoi handed Javalier 13 pounds on their last clash but the difference is now only seven pounds in his favour so this should play some part in making the distance between these two much closer.
My Man West is another with good form, and is good value for money, even if only for a place. Banja, Brigadier Wood and King Of Cool look in deep water.
This appetising eight-race programme, which begins at 1:45 p.m., is dedicated to mothers, and with it being a Mother’s day card it is natural that the fillies will feature prominently. Ameash will look to celebrate a win to complete a hat trick of wins and take the spotlight over other fillies Island Cotton, Andale Julia and Felony Fire.
This race is dubbed the Mother’s Day Handicap for horses rated 55-37 and lower over 1 570 metres. Ameash, owned by Sir Charles Williams, has been a breath of fresh air for her barn and fans of the stable ever since she turned in her maiden certificate four starts ago over 1 800 metres.
While she is the lone filly here with meaningful form, she is yet to win over today’s distance and tackles three others that have been recent visitors to the winner’s circle. Those three are Thismeanswar, Preacher Boy and Kit Carson.
Preacher Boy’s win was relatively impressive, and another good run can be expected. He simply floated by horses rated 55-37 when sprinting 1 100 metres, but further improvement over the distance will be required to register another win.
Thismeanswar came through a congested field to win but should be better for the victory, and his camp will be hoping for more jubilation. Kit Carson, fresh off his maiden win, will have to dig way deeper in order to pull off another win. This is expected to be competitive race, with the main contenders being Felony Fire, D’Girlz Dem Sugar, Rockley and Andale Julia. (LY)
My Picks
Race 1: Burbon Street
Race 2: Lollipop
Race 3: Crystal Diamond
Race 4: Musical
Race 5: Summer Again
Race 6: Cipriani
Race 7: Ameash
Race 8: Javalier
