Brilliant News shows his class

By Kent Layne

Sir David Seale seems to have found his Sandy Lane Gold Cup horse for next year as his three-year-old English colt Brilliant News won at the Gold Cup distance of 1800 meters for the first-time racing at the distance in the feature race The Season of Emancipation Handicap on Saturday at the Garrison Savannah.

Going off at 5-2 in the betting, Brilliant News was settled into third spot by jockey Rey Williams who replaced the injured Rasheed Hughes, in the initial stages behind the early pacesetter Whatyouthink and Refire. Whatyouthink went the first quarter in 25.0. Race favourite in the betting Inspired Adventure seeking his fourth 1800-meter win for this year, was in his trademark position of last in the seven-horse field.

The Andrew Nunes-trained Brilliant News picked up the running from the three-furlong pole from Tanglewood Stakes winner Neilos who was second last earlier and the two sprinted away from their rivals. Brilliant News went on to win and showed that horse racing is not always what the form book shows as he had only won once in England which came at six furlongs at Lingfield on July 7 last year.

Since coming over to Barbados Brilliant News ran second twice at the sprint trip of 1100 meters and third at the mile trip of 1570 meters.

Neilos finished second, Inspired Adventure giving the winner 13 pounds finished third which was not a disgrace, and De Spoil Child the lowest-rated horse in the field at 62 ran an outstanding race to finish fourth. Rey Williams and Rasheed Hughes were the only riders to win a double on the day while trainers Romel Lovell and Richards Deane both saddled two winners.

The next race day will be September 3, Barbados Derby Day.