Barbados Sandy Lane Gold Cup 2007

Barbados Sandy Lane Gold Cup 2007

The Aysha Syndicate’s pair of Whiskey For Me and Who’s Wavering dominated the 26th running of the Sandy Lane Barbados Gold Cup by finishing first and second in the prestigious race on March 3rd, 2007, the fifth day of the Barbados Turf Club’s first racing season for 2007.

Whiskey For Me, gave trainer Elizabeth (Liz) Deane her first official win in the race, and she will go down in history as the first female trainer to saddle a winner of the Gold Cup.

Also interesting is the fact that two brothers were aboard the two horses, Ricky Walcott was aboard the winner Whiskey For Me, and his younger brother apprentice Rico Walcott was aboard the second placed Who’s Wavering.

History also repeated itself, as last year the Gay Smith pair of Sharp Impact and Zarad finished first and second, something that had never happened in the first 24 runnings of the race.

When starter Mark Batson sent the 12 horse field on their way, it was Who’s Wavering that first struck the lead, but that was short lived as Andy Ward on the Clayton Greenidge trained Atul, immediately picked up the running. This pair was closely followed by Kentucky Chill and Don Anglesonny.

Going to the four furlong marker Rico Walcott on Who’s Wavering kept pressing Atul, while Kentucky Chill and Don Anglesoon where beginning to weaken, as South Sea and Whiskey For Me, were beginning to take closer order.

With two furlongs to go Who’s Wavering had collared Atul, and Whiskey For Me was also on his heels, while Jamar Maughn on the Clayton Greenidge trained Favorite Player was making headway from the back.

With a furlong to go, Who’s Wavering was still hanging on to the lead, while Whiskey For Me had the measure of Atul, and Favorite Player was now threatening Atul as well.

At the post it was a comfortable victory for Whiskey For Me, with Who’s Wavering running a great race to be second. Favorite Player, who had come from a long way back finished third, and Atul held on for fourth.

Two other feature races were on the card. The first to run off was The IV Sandy Lane Spa Sprint Stakes & Trophy (Gr.1.-Bar), for 3-year-olds and over, sprinting 1100 metres.

This was won by the Lord Michael Taylor-Clifton Racing owned, Primed N’Loaded, ridden by Jono Jones, and trained by William Clarke.

Jones kept the 4-year-old bay filly off the torrid pace set by the Trinidad 6-year-old bay horse Salsa Moves, and produced her in the last furlong to snatch victory from the Aysha Syndicate’s 4-year-old bay gelding Who’s To Say. Morethanawomen was third, and Trinity fourth.

The Other feature The V Tanglewood Stakes & Trophy (Gr.1.-Bar), for West Indian bred 4-year-olds and over going 2000 metres, was won in an even tighter finish by the 6-year-old gelding, Chief Commander, with Patrick Husbands in the saddle.
It was a fitting victory for Trinidad & Tobago, and owner Poon Tip Stud Farm, who brought the John O’Brian trained Chief Commander specially for this race.

From the start, the Farway Stables owned Kabul, trained by Clayton Greenidge, and ridden by Andy Ward tried to make all, but was caught in the last stride by Chief Commander, and had to settle for second. The lowly classified First Edition ran a corker to be third, while Swade finished fourth.

Two jockeys scored twice for the day, Andy Ward won races two and three, while apprentice Rico Walcott won race six and ten Trainer Elizabeth ‘Liz’ Deane took the honours of the day as she saddled three winners including the feature Sandy Lane Barbados Gold Cup.

Trainer William Clarke also had a good day landing three winners for owner Lord Michael Taylor-Clifton Racing Stable.
It was a treat to once again see horses from Trinidad & Tobago competing at the Garrison, and also to prove they can be competitive, as Chief Commander showed when winning one of the feature races. This can only be good for racing between the two countries.

A good crowd was on hand for the days racing, and one lucky punter left the Garrison with a superfecta pay out in the Sandy Lane Barbados Gold cup of $17,028.10.

Racing continues on March 24, 2007.

Article compliments Charlie Heath