Island Memories

Nigel
Mar 5, 2016
3 min read

Whilst we were on anchor in Bridgetown, we would awake at dawn to hear the sound of racehorses swimming past the boat. I spotted that one of them seemed significantly fitter than the others. He was a strong swimmer, better breathing and faster. Quick as a flash, I jumped into the dinghy and rowed over towards the triathlon winning stallion and presented my greetings to the trainer who was hanging on and being dragged along. "What's the name of this fine horse I enquired? " "Island Memories " he replied. Armed with what I considered to be vital inside information, I returned to Steel Appeal to formulate my plans on capitalising this knowledge.

I was careful not to boast about my discovery too loudly as surely if it got out, the whole of Bridgetown would soon know and the odds would plummet on Island Memories. So I kept it under my hat as they say. Research soon revealed that my horse was indeed running this coming Saturday and we gleefully stuffed our pockets with Barbados dollars. Our champion was running in race 5 and by this time I had blurted out our secret to Fred and Pascale, another yachting couple we met in Cape Verde, they were excited about what I had discovered. I could hardly contain my pride in my stealthy sleuthfullness and beamed inanely as I waited for race 5. Yes I had two wins in the earlier races which went part way to alleviating my other losers and Sarah's persitant bad luck. But now it was time for race 5, the excitement started to mount. Fred hadn't been to the races before and was hanging on my every word as my enthusiasm climbed to a fever pitch. The horses paraded in front of us and our man looked amazing. Shining coat, a paragon of fitness and beauty at his peak. The trainer beamed almost as widely as me as he proudly displayed his charge.

Jockeys mounted as the owners and their expensively dressed wives glinted in the sunlight . But now the serious business began as I made my final decision on how much to "Invest " in our obvious winner . 16-1 odds, wow I thought, he's a newcomer I reckon as a seasoned 8 year old, he had a lot of previous winnings totalling $230,000 US. Still his age bothered me as the other horses were all much younger. That's a myth, said Pascale who's mother kept race horses apparently. His age is no handicap she said. With that knowledge alleviating any doubts. My fistful of dollars landed firmly on the counter in front of now familiar cashier. "Dis am de one " I hollered in my best Bajan accent and as there was no one queuing behind me, I regailed her with my reason for choosing my champion. Her eyes widened at my stealth and cunning and she wished me luck.

Tension mounted in our little group, Fred and Pascale had placed a good bet on the same steed. Sarah was already planning a celebratory dinner and a visit to the "top shop " By now, the starter was climbing up his steps as the last reluctants were pushed into the starting frame. I was beside myself with anticipation as the crowd roared and the starting bell rang. Almost immediately, I heard our champions name over the tannoy. Ooh I thought he's in front, but no, where is he? I Can't see his colours........

The bastard never left the gate!

"Dat bad luck man " Said the local gent next to me. "No money back on him. Once under de starters orders, .....dats it "

ISLAND MEMORIES.. ..... Errrrrrr yeah.