Big guns for Alex's Imports Gold Cup

The big guns of racing will hold centre stage in the 44th running of the Alex's Imports Gold Cup feature over 1400 metres at Caymanas Park on Saturday.

Eleven entries were received for the popular grade-one race that dates back to 1967, when the legendary KILOWATT won the inaugural running.

The star-studded field includes last year's winner, POTCHEEN, the reigning champion sprinter; Horse of the Year TYPEWRITER; the 2013 Derby and St Leger winner PERFECT NEIGHBOUR; the bang- in-form imported horses UPPA TUNE and FORTUNEONEHUNDRED, UNCLE TAF as well as PETE'SWILDONE; and this year's St Leger winner, SUPERLUMINAL.

CTL's racing secretary, Denzil Miller Jr, said "with the very best on show, it's a race worth going miles to see".

He was quick to add: "The Gold Cup, for a purse of $1.6 million, kick-starts what promises to be a fantastic last quarter of racing on the calendar, what with the $10.55m Supreme Ventures 2-Y-O Triple Crown Series commencing on Monday (Heroes Day), followed by the prestigious Superstakes on Saturday, November 14, and the inaugural running of the Diamond Mile, with a record purse of $13.5 million on Saturday, December 5.

"No other period in the history of racing at Caymanas Park has seen so many major races in the offing and coming at the back end of the season. It will provide a feast for racing fans," he added.

Strong performers

Veteran trainer Harry Parsard, whose top horses POTCHEEN and UPPA TUNE have won a number of grade-one trophy races this season, says neither can be taken lightly despite the strength of the opposition.

"Potcheen ran on strongly to win the race with a light impost last year ahead of stable companions UPPA TUNE and PETE'SWILDONE in a memorable sweep, and although set to carry topweight of 57.0kg on Saturday, this will not deter him," said Parsard.

"Uppa Tune, on the other hand, is versatile and consistent as they come and being a better horse this year, should enter the reckoning in a big way," added Parsard, who will have two other runners in SUPERLUMINAL and PETE'SWILDONE.

Two-time Superstakes winner TYPEWRITER could only manage fifth as the 2-1 favourite under topweight of 57.0kg last year, but is coming to run, with 56.0kg this time around, for trainer Spencer Chung.

Champion trainer Wayne DaCosta will saddle two strong contenders in recent Governor General's Stakes winner PERFECT NEIGHBOUR (55.0kg) and the speedy American colt, FORTUNEONEHUNDRED, who will have to be caught.

Both are coming off recent wins and should make the race all the more interesting.