Two time Horse-Of-The-Year BRUCEONTHELOOSE seeks to defend his win in last year’s President’s Cup (GR.II) when he takes on 7 rivals in this year’s renewal of the $150,000.00 contest for 3-year-olds and upwards over the unique trip of 1900 metres.

The evergreen 6-year-old grey horse is undoubtedly one of the best horses ever to grace the track in the twin-island republic and coming off a 1 ¼ lengths triumph over IGNITION COIL in the 1200 metres Grade 2 Santa Rosa Dash on Saturday May 30, 2012, he is definitely the one to beat with the weights once again decidedly in his favour.

His main competitors in Saturday’s showpiece event are the Red Dragon Racing Stables BOOGIE BLUES, now conditioned by former champion trainer Glenn Mendez, MONTEJO, owned by Zanim Meahjohn from the barn of veteran trainer Jose William-Samaroo and the much improved budding superstar IGNITION COIL trained by 10 time champion John O’Brien and owned by the popular Ahamad family’s S.I.R. Stables.

BOOGIE BLUES has not raced since making his turf debut in the 1600 metres Grade One Champagne Stakes on Easter Monday April 9, 2012 when finishing seventh of 12 beaten 3 ½ lengths by stablemate ROCK MOVISTAR.

The Indian Charlie out of Boogie Piano by Sefapiano gelding was recently transferred from the stables of Christopher Prime to Glenn Mendez and has looked in good shape at exercise as borne out by his 800 metres gallop in 48.0 seconds on Monday July 16, 2012.

He has scored major victories in the past and raced at the highest level for over 14 months, however on this occasion he will have to be at his fighting best to topple this quality field.

MONTEJO on the other hand is now at the top of his game as evidenced by his smooth victory in his prep race for this contest on Saturday June 30, 2012 when taking a 1750 metres event for 90 and over rated horses by 1 ½ lengths over MOBTHEWARRIOR when spotting the latter 5.0KG.

On this occasion he will be giving MOB THE WARRIOR a mere 3.0KG.

Prior to that race he earned a hard fought short head triumph over STRIKES NOT SPARES in the ARC Cup (GR.II) over 1800 metres on Saturday February 25, 2012.

He will meet STRIKES NOT SPARES on identical terms in the Presidents Cup (GR.II) but the Terrence Thomas inmate has not repeated that performance since that effort and indeed was beaten 3 ½ lengths by MONTEJO when they last met on Saturday June 30, 2012 when in receipt of 5.0KG.

IGNITION COIL could prove to be the fly in the ointment.

A handsome chestnut colt by Sir Shackleton out of the Matty G mare Circular Reasoning has compiled an enviable record of 4 wins, one second and one third from 6 career starts and based on his last two  races looks a budding superstar in the making.

On Saturday May 30, 2012 he pushed his more illustrious stable companion BRUCEONTHELOOSE in the Santa Rosa Dash (GR.II) over 1200 metres, falling short by 1 ¼ lengths in his first attempt in open Graded company.

In his subsequent race on the Tobago House of Assembly sponsored Tobago Day at the Races on Labour Day, Tuesday June 19, 2012, he turned in one of the special performances seen this year when winning the $150,000.00 Pigeon Point Heritage Park 3-Year-Old Sprint Stakes (GR.IIR) over 1350 metres by all of 10 lengths over GABBY’S GOLD with whom he will renew rivalry at the same weight disparity of 2.0KG.

He has been taken to task by his astute trainer and has responded with works of 48.1 on July 8, 2012 and 47.3 on July 15, 2012, both over 800 metres whilst BRUCEONTHELOOSE galloped in 49.4 and 48.3 respectively on the same days.

Completing the eight horse field is the Terrence Thomas trained, Wendell Kangaloo owned, GOLDEN DIXILAND who is a useful campaigner on his day but who is yet to beat GABBY’S GOLD in five meetings to date.

When all is taken into account this year’s renewal of the Presidents Cup (GR.II) is expected to be an outstanding contest with BRUCEONTHELOOSE looking to join two time Horse-Of-The-Year SUGAR MIKE as the only thoroughbreds to win the prestigious race on two occasions.

He will however have to be at his very best as in MONTEJO and IGNITION COIL he has two worthy challengers to his throne and make no bones about it, the winner of this race will have claim to being considered the best horse in the country at this time.