The Sandy Lane Gold Cup, the most prestigious horse race in the southern Caribbean, runs off at the Garrison Savannah on Saturday. In the lead-up to the big race, horse racing writer Lindon Yarde begins a series of profiles on the horses.
Owner: David Seale
Trainer: Liz Deane
Distance attempts: 4; won 2
Best time: 1:52.4 carrying 118 pounds
Debonaire David is facing an uphill task. This five-year-old son of Sir Prancealot out of the mare Peyto Princess will have to soar to unforeseen heights to steal the 1 800 metres Sandy Lane Barbados Gold Cup.
Both of his wins were by the narrowest margins.
Debonaire David debuted locally to a baptism of fire in the 2018 Sandy Lane Spa Sprint Stakes, which was won by Celestial Storm.
He showed his mettle on May 26, winning the Alaska Pete for horses rated 90-72 by a head, while attaining a personal best. He got the better of Refire for the second time by a short head on August 11 in the BTC Board Of Directors Handicap for horses rated 100-82.
A month later, in a four-horse race, Debonaire David was in the company of one of the track rulers, Infrared, who inflicted the first of two thrashings on him. In their second meeting he was well considered in the betting at 7/2, as he was put into the Coolmore Home Of Champions Stakes as a final preparation for the Gold Cup.
He gave an improved performance, finishing third, but offering no threat to Infrared. His can be best labelled a mid-pack runner, and this has worked well when he is competing with similarly rated horses.
This race is for all the glory. It is do or die, and Debonaire David is lacking the class.
The Gold Cup’s most successful winning owner, Sir David Seale, has been involved in horse racing for more than 50 years. He has “upped de ting” by acquiring some potentially potent firepower for the stable in Night Prowler from the United States to further enhance his chances of capturing his eighth Gold Cup. (LY)
