Guardian Gold Cup - Merlin or Bertwin

WHICH brother will lead in the winner of today’s Guar-dian Gold Cup? Would it be Merlin Samlalsingh and partner Rupert Leong Poi with Sugar Mike, or Bertwin Samlalsingh with Top Of The Class. Both horses go into today’s 2000 metres race unbeaten in their last six starts, and judging by the way they have been winning, the rich event which carries a total purse of $125,000, looks set to be a two-horse battle. Top Of The Class, popularly called The Student, has endeared himself with local turfites, winning not only the triple crown - Easter Guineas, Midsummer Classic and Royal Oak Derby, but also beating some older horses in the Caribbean Champion Stakes.

Sugar Mike, the “Sweet Man,” has been humping some welter burdens, giving away “tones” of weight to his rivals and beating them with ridiculous ease.  He will be spotting The Student seven kilos in the “big race.” Both horses have been going well at gallops and will be brought to today’s race fighting fit by leading trainer Glenn Mendez (Top Of The Class) and Grant Lourenco (Sugar Mike). But in the end, jockeyship should prevail, and in this regard the edge goes to Brian Harding who will be astride the “Sweet Man,” having booted home several winners of the “big races” on local and Jamaican tracks. Ricardo Jadoo, the regular partner of The Student is no slouch, and one can visualise these two locked in battle inside the final furlong.The event which will undoubtedly decide which of the two horses will be crowned Horse of the Year, is not restricted to Top Of The Class and Sugar Mike, however, since young trainer Kenneth de Silva jr has his filly Dottie’s Way very sharp. And the ex-champion trainer John O’Brien can be counted on to produce Cash Wager in good mettle.  He will also saddle former star Phantom Bidder in the event.

The Guardian Life St Ann’s Stakes over 1350 metres for the two-year-old fillies is the first of two co-feature events on the 11-race programme. And despite all the good things being said about French Academy, the very astute owner-trainer Maniram “Bo-boy” Maharaj seems to have this one sewn up. It is only a question of which one between Melanie My Love, Java Takeover and Sunday Jewel, “Boboy” will be leading in. Maharaj who also breeder of his horses, could well score an unprecedented double by taking the Guardian Life St James Stakes for colts and geldings over the same trip. He has the very speedy Salsa Moves, Laura’s Boy and Mister Hypocrit holding the engagement.

One must side with Salsa Moves as his best bet in the $75,000 race. But Pave The Way could well stand in the way of that double strike by “Boboy,” since he has been going guns at gallops, then there is first-time winner Privilege who must come on, and the consistent Mucho Tempo. Second Chances has speed to burn, and if allowed to dictate the pace could well spring a surprise. The third race on the day’s programme should whet Turfites’ appetite for the three “big races” This is a 1100 metres dash, featuring seven fleet-footed animals, with first-time winner Twice Infallible, Lovely Honoree, Fortunate Flag and Twice The Jet who will be making his debut, holding the engagement.