Peermont & Emperors Palace to sponsor Charity Mile again

Betting World’s opening betting: 16-10 PIERRE JOURDAN; 6-1 GALILEO`S GALAXY; 7-1 RUDRA; 10-1 GALANTHUS; 12-1 CAPTAIN SCOTT; 14-1 ASLAN; 16-1 ALDERRY, BULSARA, MASTER BLASTER, SERVICE ACE; 20-1 IRON CURTAIN, ZORBRA`S TALE; 25-1 AUTUMN GOLD, THANDOLWAMI; 33-1 HAVASHA; 50-1 VERTICAL TAKEOFF.

I think Galanthus is a big runner at the weights - 10/1 very good value imo

AT the weights Galanthus must have a strong chance of beating Pierre Jourdan in this Saturday’s Peermont Emperors Palace Charity Mile over 1600m at Turffontein. However, his trainer Tyrone Zackey thinks his Silvano colt will have his work cut out for him from the draw.

Following the scratching of Iron Wood, Galanthus will start from stall No 11 and, given he likes to race handily, jockey Guillermo Figueroa will have to use every ounce of his expertise to ensure his mount does not race wide.

``If it wasn’t for the charities, I’d probably pull him out of this race,’’ said Zackey. ``But given the amount of money at stake for his charity (Daily Sun-sponsored Othandweni Children’s Home), I decided to let him take his chance.

``A wide draw over the Turffontein 1600m is the worst disadvantage a horse can have. You’re under pressure from the start. But we’ll be out there, trying our best.’’

The positioning of the 1600m starting gates on the Turffontein standside track give horses just 200m to cut across to the rail. Plus the track rises 12m from the 1600m mark to 800m mark at the top of the straight, which makes it one of the most testing circuits in the world. Although there is plenty of real estate before the finish line, a bad draw (from which a horse may have to race wide, or be over-raced early to get into a good position) has put paid to the chances of many good horses down the years.

Zackey also believes that the 1600m distance might be sharp for Galanthus, whose mission this spring is the Summer Cup at the end of November.

While Zackey’s charge is 2.5kg better off with Pierre Jourdan on Joburg Spring Challenge form – the ruling Charity Mile favourite beat a fast-finishing Galanthus by 0.50 lengths in that 1450m race on the inside track – the Turffontein-based trainer believes the handicappers erred in giving him a 12-point penalty for that run. He came out next time and beat a good field over 1800m and was given another two points.

``They really punished him, raising him 14 points (the equivalent of seven lengths) for his last two runs,’’ commented Zackey. ``I think it’s unfair because the other runners in his last two races were underdone in their preparations for big races, and Galanthus has not won the same class of race as a horse like Pierre Jourdan. By my reckoning, he’s probably 5 to 6kg out in the handicap.’’

His roughie for the race is Captain Scott, who he says is ``weighted to win’’.

THANDOLWAMI might be a 25-1 long-shot, but he is going to make them gallop! That’s trainer Craig Eudey’s prediction for this Saturday’s R600,000 Peermont Emperors Palace Charity Mile to be run over 1600m at Turffontein.

“I don’t think I’ve had him this well since 2008-09 when he ran second in this race and third in the Champions Challenge,” enthused Summerveld-based Eudey on Monday. “In fact, I’m not even sure he was this well then! (His big-race jockey) Brandon Lerena galloped him this morning and was thrilled with his workout.”

His only setback in his preparation for the Charity Mile was that the race he was due to contest in the middle of October had to be cancelled. However, Eudey put the six-year-old Woodborough gelding into a 1200m sprint at Greyville a week later and Thandolwami “ran brilliantly, finishing just on the heels of some of the best sprinters in KwaZulu-Natal. Plus he carried a huge weight (63kg), giving (5kg-plus) weight to the four horses who finished in front of him!”

Thandolwami has not been the same force as two years ago, but Eudey explained that he sustained an injury in the Durban July in 2009, a “very bumpy race”, and was lame for months afterwards. “It took us ages to get him right, but he’s very well now and I’m happy.”

Eudey continued that although Thandolwami had won races at Scottsville and Greyville, he believes his charge is a Turffontein standside track specialist. “I rate him five or six lengths better on the Turffontein standside track with its long straight. He’s got a light weight (55kg) and the perfect draw (No 7).”

He believes Pierre Jourdan is the obvious horse to fear in the line-up, “but he gives us 6kg and may battle”.

Thandolwami will travel from KwaZulu-Natal to the Highveld on Saturday morning. If he runs as well as expected, Eudey will leave him in Johannesburg with Alec Laird until the Summer Cup later this month.

Thandolwami will be represented by celebrity Neil Andrews and will run for the Highveld Horse Care Unit, the charity nominated by TAB

Just saw the panel discussion on TT; interesting differences of opinion and the betting has also changed quite a bit (seems more realistic now - imo they should bet 3/1 the field).

Also Mr Soma may be in some hot water after his comment (referring to Vertical Takeoff) that he does not agree with certain horses being given preference to run in the race depending on who owns them and not necesarilly by their qualifications: 'Do what's right for racing' or something to that effect

Cheers Frodo hope to catch you and your partner in crime on Sat?

Not a celeb and not really interested the 'celebs'; some nice racing though, but I think I will watch proceedings from the comfort of my lounge - could be tempted to come out to watch the international jocks next week;)