Another cracking days racing in South Africa at Greyville this Saturday, the final 4 Grade 1 races of the season. A fitting days racing to close the season, Mike De Kock should clinch the trainers title, not so with the jockeys title, 3 runners still in with a chance, Anton Marcus, Anthony Delpech and Gavin Lerena.
Leading trainer Mike De Kock saddles 4 runners (Ilsanpietro ,Captains Wild, Gorongosa and Vettel) in the Ladbrokes Gold Cup run over 2 miles and July Handicap winning trainer Sean Tarry saddles 2 runners including defending champ Aslan and Kolkata, Mike Bass, champion trainer in the Western Cape saddles 4 runners as well ( Blake, Croc Valley, Thanks John and Jeppe’s Reef) Blake is the current 4/1 favourite in the race. 7 of the runners will be taking on the Gold Cup distance for the 1st time , 7 who ran in the race last year are returning for another crack at the richest staying race prize on the South African calendar. A mouth-watering event and a true test of stamina if the forecast rain arrives this Friday.
The juveniles kick start the graded action with the fillies contesting the Thekwini Stakes over a mile, leading contenders include Straight Set, All is Secret, King’s Temptress followed by the boys (some with tackle others not so lucky)in the Premiers Champions Stake over a mile as well. Horses in the southern hemisphere have their birthdays on the 1st August, so it is the last opportunity of the season for the juveniles to strut their stuff.
Following the Gold Cup is the final Grade 1 of the season the Champions Cup the Champions Cup over 9 furlongs. Included in the field are 8 runners who contested the July Handicap. It is currently 4/1 the field and a wide open contest.
The final graded event on the card is the Gold Bracelet (Grade 2) over a mile and 2 furlongs , 2000 metres in metric speak. I won’t be previewing the race in its entirety but just tipping you the winner. Beach Beauty, she has come out of the July Handicap well and over her optimum trip again this evening, do believe she will win.
GR1 LADBROKES GOLD CUP, 3200m
Horse Draw Jockey Trainer
1 SEAL 17 R Fradd Gavin van Zyl -Won the Gold Vase over 3000m on July Day, out at the weights with a few bad a place chance from a bad draw.
2 ILSANPIETRO 15 K Shea Mike de Kock -Ran 4th in this race last year, held by Seal on the last run, a lot of racing the past year, bad draw not for me.
3 BLAKE 1 K Neisius Dean Kannemeyer -Been the target for a long time, all is well at home, drawn in the box seat and a massive runner
4 SAGE THRONE 5 S Cormack Colin Scott -Outclassed in the July, 1st time over the trip and if he stays must have an outside chance of winning
5 TOP SELLER 16 M Byleveld Vaughan Marshall -Only positive would be that he is fit, bad draw , 1st time at this trip, no chance.
6 IN WRITING 11 F Coetzee Dean Kannemeyer -At the weights should beat Seal, has won over the trip , often disappoints in the feature races and looks to be the stables 2nd choice, place chance.
7 CAPTAIN’S WILD 18 K Teetan Mike de Kock -Shocking draw, ran in this race last year and disappointed, not for me.
8 GORONGOSA 12 A Delpech Mike de Kock -Had done nothing wrong till disappointing in the July, trip not her best. Decently drawn , stable jockey rides and back at her best trip, my idea of a solid eway bet.
9 ASLAN 4 B Lerena Sean Tarry -Defending champ but has been disappointing of late, has not won since the race last year, decent draw but has been to hit and miss and not for me.
10 PRINCESS OF LIGHT 10 M Mienie Geoff Woodruff -Front runner who should enjoy her 1st visit to Greyville, rarely runs a bad race and has placed over the distance, don’t think she is as classy as these but would have a place chance.
11 SOUL MASTER 9 M VRensburg Geoff Woodruff -Not sure to stay and for me just making up the numbers.
12 VETTEL 7 A Marcus Mike de Kock -Champion trainer and Jockey, good 6th in the July, bred for the trip, everything in his favour but as a 3year old , I will be laying him in the win and place.
13 CROC VALLEY 3 A Domeyer Mike Bass -Never won at Greyville, 1st time this far, has a mountain to climb. No chance.
14 HEYOUNEVERKNOW 2 A Forbes Corne Spies -Improved as she has got older,enjoys the marathon distance, from a small stable and at a big price could upset, definite place chance.
15 SUN CITY 20 R Fourie Corinne Bestel -Drawn in the car park, never placed in races further than a mile and a half, contender for last place.
16 THANKS JOHN 8 S Randolph Mike Bass -Nothing to recommend, not even the addition of blinkers. No chance.
17 KOLKATA 6 P Strydom Sean Tarry -Striker rides and looking for the July double, well drawn, 2nd in this race last year and better off at the weights this year but has not won in a year, place chance, win lay for me.
18 GOLDEN PARACHUTE 14 M Yeni Mike Bass -Has been campaigning and winning in minor centres, bit long in the tooth and not for me.
19 CAMPO DE SANTANA 13 S Devoy Corne Spies -Will need lots of rain to have a say in this race, surprised when winning the Gold Cup in Port Elizabeth, lightning doesn’t strike twice and not for me.
20 JEPPE’S REEF 19 R Danielson Mike Bass -5th in this race last year, badly drawn this year and well held at the weights by various runners, no chance.
Selections
1st- GORONGOSA
2nd-BLAKE
3rd –SAGE THRONE
GR1 CHAMPIONS CUP, 1800m
Horse Draw Jockey Trainer
1 PIERRE JOURDAN 11 R Fradd Gary Alexander -Class act in the field, being slow away in the July did not help, big runner if jumps on terms. Will be backing eway at double figure prices, currently 12/1
2 TALES OF BRAVERY 13 M Byleveld Vaughan Marshall -Loves the trip and is 2 from 2, bit off a bit too much last start and back to his level, often finds trouble in running and if finds a clear run every chance.
3 CHESALON 5 B Fayd’Herbe Mike Bass -Has blossomed in Natal this year without winning, well drawn and his profile suits the race and should contest the finish.
4 ENGLISH GARDEN 2 K Neisius Mike Bass -Non Runner
5 SOLO TRAVELLER 4 A Delpech Mike de Kock -Has not won in over 400 days, well drawn and 1st time blinkers added to try and get his nose in front again, not a supporter and will be laying in the win market.
6 LION IN WINTER 3 S Cormack Joey Ramsden -Nothing to recommend of late and has been very disappointing, will need to be at his best to even place.
7 GOLD ONYX 8 P Strydom Sean Tarry -Loves Natal and has done well since moving from JHB. Has won over the distance and at Greyville, with Striker in the saddle will have his supporters, a winning chance.
8 CASTLETHORPE 6 R Danielson Mike Bass -Not sure he stays, both starts at the distance unplaced, will be laying in the win and the place market.
9 BLACK WING 7 K Teetan Brett Crawford -New lease of life since moving to his new trainer, has been campaigning against weaker, if he runs the same race as last year when finishing 6th , outside chance.
10 GALANTHUS 12 G van Niekerk Tyrone Zackey -A few decent runs behind stronger but has had problems and not one to recommend. Badly drawn as well.
11 BUY AND SELL 1 B Lerena Sean Tarry -Well drawn and looks to be the pacemaker for mare fancied stable companions. Lots of racing this year and would be an upset result.
12 MASTER PLAN 10 M Yeni Greg Ennion -Well held by Chesalon at the weights, should run a solid enough race and place chance for me.
13 WHITELINE FEVER 9 A Marcus Sean Tarry -Bad interference in the July otherwise would have finished closer, back to favourite trip and with Marcus riding every chance.
Selections
1st-PIERRE JOURDAN
2nd-CHESALON
3rd-WHITELINE FEVER
GR1 PREMIERS CHAMPION STAKES, 1600m
Horse Draw Jockey Trainer
1 WAR HORSE 10 F Coetzee Corne Spies -Good win in the Golden Horseshoe on July day, bred to stay and must have every chance, I am not convinced though, will be laying in the win market.
2 BLACK TOGA 7 Marcus Vaughan Marshall -Up and coming star, won 3 from 4 to date, has only contested races with small fields, not sure if he will stay and feel the current price of 8/5 a bit skinny.
3 SHIMMER AND SHINE 6 B Fayd’Herbe Greg Ennion -2nd behind War Horse last start, lots of excuses, badly drawn, slowly away and cramped. Think he will reverse placings and big eway value at 7/1.
4 LOVE STRUCK 1 R Danielson Paul Lafferty -Different horse since being gelded, tried to make all last start coming from stall 16 of 16, should lead again and can see running into the places.
5 FLY ME OVER 3 S Randolph Glen Kotzen -Disappointed last start, bred to stay but don’t think he does. Will have to improve but for me no chance.
6 KING OF TORTS 12 K Neisius Duncan Howells -Unknown quantity in the race, won well last start over the mile, word from the yard is that he is well and has improved, could surprise at double figure price.
7 THE HANGMAN 4 P Strydom Sean Tarry -Could be anything, no run last start, jock lost iron, should stay. Striker rides and will have his supporters but I will have to wait till he improves.
8 ACT FAST 5 M Byleveld Vaughan Marshall –Stepping up in class, did beat King of Torts over the mile. Did not get home last start, drop back in trip will suit, blinkers on and looking for an improved run.
9 DONNIE BRASCO 11 R Fourie Paul Peter -Non Runner
10 HEAVENISARACEHORSE 9 B Lerena Gavin van Zyl -Done nothing wrong to date, beat nothing when winning and will have to see more runs and further improvement before getting my money.
11 SABADELL 2 M V’Rensburg Geoff Woodruff -Very disappointing last start, did not stay and cannot recommend.
12 LEHAAF 8 A Delpech Mike de Kock -Well held by Black Toga last start, was beaten and worse off at the weights as well. But never discount De Kock in Group 1 and double figure prices, could upset.
Selections
1st SHIMMER AND SHINE
2nd BLACK TOGA
3rd FLY ME OVER or KING OF TORTS
GR1 THEKWINI STAKES, R500,000, 1600m
Horse Draw B A T Jockey Trainer
1 ALL IS SECRET 2 A Marcus Vaughan Marshall -Blotted her copybook last start, better draw today and will be in her favour, expect a better run today and can see her contesting the finish.
2 KING’S TEMPTRESS 7 *N Juglall Kumaran Naidoo -Shock winner on debut. Disappointed when racing green in the Alan Robertson, marked improvement last start and if not too green can feature in the finish.
3 STRAIGHT SET 4 F Coetzee Corne Spies -Looked the winner last start but found 1 to good. She has all the credentials but has done a lot of racing as a juvenile and for me no value at evens and a lay.
4 DYLAN’S PROMISE 11 R Danielson Charles Laird -Trounced last start and cannot see where improvement will come from . Bad draw. No chance.
5 FIRE WHEEL 9 P Strydom Sean Tarry -Will need to improve against a few in this race, Striker rides is a positive, look for improvement and could surprise.
6 CAREFUL HIKER 3 G Hatt Joey Ramsden -Taken a long time for her to debut in Natal, been slow away on both starts, will be running on at the death, one to watch.
7 FAST JET 6 A Forbes Michael Miller -Of the 3 maidens in the race she would be the one I would back in the match race, blinkers on , think she will need more than that though.
8 FIVE RINGS 1 K Shea Corne Spies -Maiden, well tried, no chance
9 SENORITA CASEY 8 M Yeni Joe Soma -Has won over the mile , not the same class. No chance
10 BOOGIE WITH CHER 10 S Randolph Ivan Moore -The horse she beat is still a maiden, looks outclassed and will struggle.
11 TAPPIN’ THE STARS 5 B Jacobson Tony Rivalland -Maiden, not sure she will stay. No chance.
Selections
1st KINGS TEMPTRESS
2nd ALL IS SECRET
3rd FIRE WHEEL
Regards
Andrew Riddell
Topic Author
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