'Bruce' beaten in T&T Gold Cup

ARIMA, Trinidad (CMC):

The four-year-old colt Cactus Amour ran away with the feature Grade One First Citizens Gold Cup on Monday, behind an aggressive ride from Tampa Bay Down's champion jockey Carlos Montelvo.

Going over 2000 metres on a good main track at Santa Rosa Park, the Glenn Mendez-trained horse outran and outstayed his rivals, including 2009 Horse of the Year, Bruceontheloose.

Following the break, Straight Ahead was sent straight to the front, followed by Cactus Amour Storm, Street Windjammer and Bruceontheloose following.

These were followed by Montejo, Back on Top and Sam's Hero. Proudkentuckian was contented to sit and observe from the rear.

At the far turn Cactus Amour held a three-length lead from Montejo, with Bruceontheloose creeping closer.

However, Cactus Amour kept up the pace to leave Montejo and Bruceontheloose in his wake, as he reached the wire 2-1/2 lengths clear in a time of one minute, 4.50 seconds.

Cactus Amour is the only horse to have beaten Bruceontheloose in local racing history and his win on Monday was the third triumph over the Jamaica-bred grey in five starts.

The day's riding honours went to Wilmer Galviz, who landed a hat-trick, while training honours for the day fell to John O'Brien, who saddled three winners.