O’Brien aims for Gold Cup, trainers title

CASH WAGER is in line to land the prestigious 2004 sprinter/stayer double by taking the Gold Cup at the Arima Race Club Christmas Meeting at Santa Rosa Park, Arima. The John O’Brien inmate, winner of  the Trintrac Stewards Cup on Saturday, is among the list of nine runners to have paid final subscriptions of  $500 for the Gold Cup over 2000 metres on the Boxing Day holiday (December 27). O’Brien preferred to play his cards close to his chest when asked if Cash Wager will take his place in the line-up. “He came out of the race good,” said the past champion trainer. “And if everything goes right within the next two weeks he will be among the starters,” he assured.

O’Brien never won the Stewards Cup and Gold Cup double with a single runner, but has already saddled the winners of both events in 2002 with Cash Wager and Adawar, both owned by Roland Khan. “The Captain,” as he is popularly called, is also in a tough battle with Maniram “Boboy” Maharaj for the champion trainer title, and hinted he will likely have a two-pronged attack in the Guardian Life-sponsored Gold Cup, and is hopeful of achieving the feat again on the holiday. O’Brien said, “I will have a strong hand in the event.” “Besides Cash Wager, I will also be sending out Phantom Bidder,” he added. And with a smile, he pointed out that both runners are owned by the Khan family and thinks, “history could repeat itself.”

Asked which of the seven runners in opposition he feared most in the long grind around two turns, without hesitation O’Brien said, “Sugar Mike.” He said: “Based on past performances he would be the horse to beat.” When told word around the paddock was that Grant Lourenco’s superstar and 2003 “Horse of the Year,” went into last Saturday’s sprint coming off a bout with tick fever, O’Brien said, “If that was the case and Saturday’s race took anything out of him then it will brighten our chances. Otherwise it would be a difficult task.” O’Brien currently holds a two-win lead over Maharaj heading into the Boxing Day racing carnival, final day of the season, and feels he has a better chance of regaining the trainer title. He hopes to increase the advantage, stating, “I will be out in full force on Boxing Day.”