Talk from the stables on the BGLC Trophy

You heard it right – it’s stable talk – all the talk from the stables of the contenders of the featured 19th running of the BGLC Trophy, the main event over 1,100 metres (5-1/2 furlongs) for horses three years old and up on the Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Commission (BGLC) Emancipation Race Day, Tuesday, August 1 at Caymanas Park.

Anticipation is high for this important Grade Two sprint event on the racing calendar that offers a premium purse of $1.7 million with the winning owner, breeder, trainer, jockey and groom receiving commemorative trophies, compliments of the BGLC. Expected to face the starter are YELLOWSTONE (trainer Alford Brown), LURE OF LUCY (Jason DaCosta), SWEET MAJESTY (Edward Stanberry), GOD OF LOVE (Rowan Mathie) and LABAN and PERFECT BREW (both trained by Richard Azan).

Naturally all these trainers are expressing confidence and optimism about the chances of their respective mounts,

Alford Brown – trainer, YELLOWSTONE

Within the sport, one expects horsemen, including trainers, to have a bond, an affinity with horses, but even by these standards, trainer Alford Brown and leading contender YELLOWSTONE appears very special.

“I was there when he was born, and he we have really been together ever since,” Brown shared on the eve of the big feature of the BGLC Race Day.

He’s hopeful that that special bond with the gelding, his speed, and the fact that customary jockey Tevin Foster is aboard will prove the perfect combination to take YELLOWSTONE first-past-the-post come Trophy day.

Tactically, in addition to the usually clean break, the trainer anticipates a patient race, with an easy half-mile, before a more gruelling final run.

“Well he [Foster] knows the type of horse that YELLOWSTONE is, so I expect him to be able to save ground until the opportune moment, just being sensible and exercising command, cause that’s what this mount requires,” he said.

With preparation at both the track and at the beach, Alford is satisfied that his “special” mount is ready to give his best and continue to live up to his billing as a sprint champion.

Edward Stanberry – trainer, SWEET MAJESTY

He might have no familiarity with eastern meditation and similar practices, but trainer Edward Stanberry just seems to naturally display an air of “Zen” of an unflappable calm, in the face of what’s expected to be an intensely competitive drive for the BGLC trophy.

Asked for a 1-10 assessment of the chances of his mount, SWEET MAJESTY, Stanberry calmly said, “Ten. She’s a winner.”

What is the source of that seemingly unshakeable confidence? Stanberry believes that the filly has not only a trainer who knows her well, but the jockey, in this instance, Paul Francis. Add to what the trainer calls SWEET MAJESTY “very responsive nature” and the fact that in his view, the 5-year-old has been trained especially for this race, the pieces are in place for her to be in the frame at the end of the contest.

The trainer is keeping busy with several other horses elsewhere in the programme, but it remains to be seen if his philosophical approach will pay dividends through SWEET MAJESTY … and if he will remain calm should he land in the winner’s enclosure.

Jason DaCosta – trainer, LURE OF LUCY

There’s an old saying, “It’s better sometimes to be lucky than good.”

Trainer Jason DaCosta, while certain that his charge Lure of Lucy is not merely “good”, but “fit and happy” and carrying a favourable weight, is still hoping that proverbial lady luck will smile on him come race day in the run for the BGLC Trophy.

“LUCY” with Rayon Lewis aboard did in fact have some luck her last time out, recovering from a stumble to run out the eventual winner, but DaCosta is hoping for a smoother transition this time from an expected good break. The filly, whom he describes as “a tough nut” will stay close he said for enough of the journey to make things interesting in the final charge. “One thing for sure,” he added, “I know she won’t give up till the end.”

Lewis, for his part, added that “LUCY” always gives a good kick when asked, and clearly, on this occasion, she will need to produce that in order to see the connections taking any share of the 1.7 million purse.

DaCosta, who credits a great team for being the fastest to 200 winners, hopes that “LUCY” will add to his growing lore at the track and continue to keep him busy.

Richard Azan – trainer, PERFECT BREW and LABAN

Five-year-old bay horse LABAN an is best described as “consistent” by several times champion trainer Richard Azan, despite the mount being occasionally slower into stride.

“He has been one of the most consistent horses that I have trained and is working well, and I am expecting him to put in another great showing on this occasion.”

Concerning his other mount in the features, Perfect Brew, who has had some ups and downs since his initial promise, Azan believes that his charge has progressed well and should make his presence felt in this field.

Rowan Mathie – GOD OF LOVE

Though Rowan Mathie is well aware of the challenges of this field, he remains confident that his mount, the seven-year-old GOD OF LOVE, has what it takes to prevail.

A lot will depend on his getting out early, Mathie indicates, sharing that GOD OF LOVE has a better advantage when out front early, using his considerable speed to take command.

Contributed