Barnaby Gets Narrow Nod Over Girvano In Legal Light Trophy At Caymanas Park

Anthony Nunes and Jason DaCosta will dominate today’s $1.4-million Legal Light Trophy at Caymanas Park, as their barns provide the full six-horse field for the Open Allowance contest over nine furlongs and 25 yards, or 1,820 metres.

Barnaby, from the Nunes yard, appears well placed for the conditions, with the trip expected to suit his steady, staying style. The five-year-old American-bred, by Tapiture out of Giants Diva, was third behind Rideallday and Supernatural Power in the Ian Levy Cup over eight and a half furlongs, or 1,700 metres, on April 6.

That Ian Levy Cup was completed in 1:41.4, setting new track and stakes marks, and Barnaby finished six lengths behind the winner. His record suggests he is comfortable over longer distances, and this assignment gives him a strong chance to use both class and stamina.

He also advertised his fitness on Sunday with a brisk 49.1 clocking for four furlongs, or 800 metres. Two-time champion jockey Raddesh Roman has the mount.

DaCosta’s Girvano, however, is a serious threat. The American-bred colt also contested the Ian Levy Cup, placing fourth, six and a half lengths behind Rideallday and only half a length adrift of Barnaby.

Girvano has already shown he can stay and has previously won over this same course and distance. On August 23, 2025, he captured the Distinctly Irish Trophy by three and a quarter lengths, covering nine furlongs and 25 yards in a sharp 1:56.2. A return to that level would make the race highly competitive.

Robert Halledeen will ride Girvano, who prepared with a five-and-a-half-furlong, or 1,100-metre, workout in 1:07.0 on Saturday, April 18. His five-furlong split, or 1,000 metres, was timed in 1:01.0, another sign that he is forward enough for the task.

Barnaby receives a marginal preference based on current form and his latest exercise. He finished the stronger of the two in the Ian Levy Cup and has been training well in the mornings. Girvano brings proven course-and-distance quality and is capable of fast times, but Barnaby’s consistency and race set-up make him the runner they must beat.

The Legal Light Trophy is listed as race four on the 10-race programme, with post time set for 1:55 pm. The opening event is scheduled for noon.

Nunes also has Neo Star and King Piye in the line-up. Neo Star has shown some ability over longer trips but would need a career-best performance to trouble the main contenders, while King Piye enjoys staying races but appears short of the required class.

DaCosta’s other entrants are Teflon Don and Provident. Teflon Don is reliable and usually gives an honest effort at this level, though he often finds at least one or two rivals too strong. He should be involved in the early pace and could hold on for a minor placing. Provident should appreciate the distance, but he too looks below the top two on class.