Defeat finally for Bruceontheloose at Santa Rosa Park in Trinidad
ARIMA, Trinidad (CMC) —The four-year-old colt Cactus Armour produced a riveting performance in the Arima Race Club (ARC) Cup on Saturday to snap Bruceontheloose’s sensational winning streak.
Ridden by champion jockey Ricky Jadoo, the US-bred Cactus Amour won the TT$150,000 (US$23,400) event by a length, handing the Jamaica-bred heavy 1-to-5 favourite Bruceontheloose his first defeat in seven starts at Santa Rosa Park.
The Glenn Mendez-trained Cactus Amour, runner-up to Bruceontheloose in the FCB Gold Cup last December, exacted his revenge on the 2009 Horse of the Year when he outran the grey colt in a stirring homestretch duel to win the 1800-metre event at odds of 5-2.
Punters had placed their money on the Tres Amigos-owned Bruceontheloose as though defeat was out of the question, but Jadoo rode a confident race and put the brakes on the outstanding colt’s winning run.
Cactus Amour broke quickly from the starting gates but was taken back by Jadoo going into the first turn, allowing Bruceontheloose to go ahead.
Unbeaten here in seven months since arriving from Jamaica, Bruceontheloose stalked the early pace set by Santa Rosa Boy and newcomer Brickyard Crossing and raced going down the backstretch.
Jadoo kept Cactus Amour close to the favourite with the fancied Blackstone Street ridden along to stay in touch.
The re-enactment of the 2009 Gold Cup show began leaving the backstretch when Bruceontheloose quickened to lead under multiple-champion Brian Harding and Cactus Amour moved with him and went ahead marginally.
The pair motored clear of the field and had some 10 lengths on Raging Halo, as Blackstone Street began a futile run at the leaders.
Cactus Amour, with an impost of 49.5 kilogrammes, was surprisingly stronger than Bruceontheloose in deep stretch and after the rousing battle, outgunned Bruceontheloose, who was shouldering 52.5 kilos.
Blackstone Street stayed on for third, 11 lengths behind, with Raging Halo fourth.
Cactus Amour registered a winning time of 1:52.00 for the trip and dented Bruceontheloose’s aura of invincibility.