Summer cup where are all the press releases?

With all due respect to 'David Thistleton and GC' - I could have written that. What is needed is some feedback from the trainers - imo

I though that Summer Cup Day is on a par with the Melborne Cup and Kentucky Derby. <

shrek Wrote:

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> I though that Summer Cup Day is on a par with the
> Melborne Cup and Kentucky Derby. <


and steve hofmeyer is on par with Elvis

Well as soon as this was posted GC were on the ball as normal (tu)

29 NOVEMBER 2012

Gavin Van Zyl has some interesting runners at Turffontein on Saturday including the four-year-old Solskjaer gelding Shogunnar, who runs in the R2 million Grade 1 Sansui Summer Cup over 2000m, and the three-year-old Trippi filly Franny, who runs in the Grade 3 Magnolia Handicap over 1160m.

Van Zyl said Shogunnar had been doing well and hadn’t been suited by blinkers last time when finishing downfield in the Grade 2 Victory Moon Stakes over 1800m, so the blinkers are now off.

This horse has come down five points in the merit ratings, meaning he will now get 4kg from the Victory Moon winner Zambucca, whom he beat comfortably at level weights when finishing third in the Grade 1 Daily News 2000 at Greyville last season.

He also beat the ruling Summer Cup third favourite, Whiteline Fever, in the Daily News and is now 5kg better off with him.

The Grade 2 Betting World Derby over 2400m at Clairwood was Shogunnar’s next run after the Daily News and he got stuck at the back in a race that was run at a crawl.

He also finished unsound in that race, so it wasn’t his run.

His seasonal reappearance in a Pinnacle Stakes event over 1400m was too sharp for him and he stayed on well, and his next run was in the Victory Moon where he over raced with first time blinkers.

In the Daily News he was drawn in pole and the race was run at a decent clip, allowing him to move comfortably in the running behind the eventual easy winner Jackson, before running on strongly.

The Daily News pacemaker Vettel, who beat Shogunnar by 0,5 lengths but is now 3kg worse off, is likely to ensure a good pace on Saturday again and Shogunnar, significantly, is drawn in pole again.

Shogunnar has been priced up as the biggest outsider in the Summer Cup, but with a lot in his favour, including a galloping weight of 54kg, he could be the sneaker in the pack.

Van Zyl added weight to this by saying, “The Daily News is his true form and I believe he will bring that form to the race.”

MJ Odendaal will ride him for the first time.

Van Zyl’s speedy filly Franny won her first two starts as a two-year-old in impressive style before finishing a disappointing third in the SA Fillies Nursery at odds on.

However, the race didn’t pan out well from an unfavourable draw that day, and she put it behind her when running a fine second in the Grade 1 Allan Robertson behind the horse that was subsequently made Equus Champion Two-Year-Old filly, All Is Secret.

In her seasonal reappearance at Clairwood on November 18, when needing the run, she burst through the starting stalls and had to be reloaded.

Under the circumstances she did well to run second to the progressive three-year-old colt Contador.

Van Zyl said she would now be spot on.

Furthermore, she is drawn on the right side on Saturday according to trends, while she could still be ahead of the handicapper off a merit rating of 97, meaning she carries a nice galloping weight of 54,5kg.

Anthony Delpech, who rode her in all three of her Turffontein starts last season, is up and this will be a further bonus to her chances.

Van Zyl has three runners in the Grade 3 Fillies Mile, Lady Tatty, Golden Dynasty and Forward Cover.

Chesney van Zyl, his son and assistant, prefers the chances of Forward Cover as she beat Golden Dynast in a gallop on Saturday.

However, Gavin pointed out that Golden Dynasty is a different horse with blinkers, which she didn’t wear in that gallop, and he is siding with her.

Golden Dynasty has a fair draw of 8 in the 16 horse field with Odendaal up.

She left her previous form behind her last time out with first-time blinkers on over 1400m at Turffontein when galloping away with a maiden to win by five lengths.

She has had more time to acclimatise to altitude than Lady Tatty as this will be her third run on the Highveld, while being by Mullins Bay, she should enjoy the step up in trip.

“She will love the extra 200m and I make her a big runner,” said Van Zyl.

Forward Cover, by Miesque’s Approval, will be ridden by Keagan Latham from pole position.

Last time out, in just her second career start, she stayed on resolutely over Saturday’s course and distance to beat subsequent winner Walking Onthe Moon.

Lady Tatty finished 6,25 lengths behind Festival Of Fire in the Grade 3 Starling Stakes over 1400m last time, but was hampered early on, so could do better.

However, she does have a wide draw to overcome and, although she has in form Robbie Fradd aboard, she does also have to find two lengths or less with those who beat her in the Starling Stakes, Fire Wheel, Tayba, Music Affair and Al Kindi.

ends

Gill Simpkins
Public Relations Manager

29 NOVEMBER 2012


Smanjemanje, who came within a hair’s breadth of causing one of the biggest upsets in Vodacom Durban July history earlier this year, looks to have been given another perfect preparation by trainer Tyrone Zackey into the Grade 1 R2-Million Sansui Summer Cup on Saturday.

“I personally think he’s one of the big runners in the race and the price is right,” said Zackey, who pointed out that he always ran his best races at long odds.

He is quoted at 25-1 by Betting World.

Smanjemanje, a six-year-old Kahal gelding, made his seasonal reappearance in a Pinnacle Stakes event over 1400m in October and looked to need it badly as he found little in the straight.

In the Grade 2 Peermont Emperor’s Palace Charity Mile in his next start he wasn’t persevered with, after going nowhere in the straight, and finished way back.

However, he looked more himself in his next start in the Grade 2 Victory Moon Stakes over 1800m on the Turffontein Standside track, a race where he was defending his crown.

He reared as the starter pressed the button and was slow away, but then ran on very well from the back of the field to finish fifth, 6,25 lengths behind Zambucca, with whom he will now be a whopping 6kg better off.

That race was run in course record time, so it was a fine effort after the tardy start.

He will jump from a great draw of three on Saturday with regular pilot Grant van Niekerk aboard and will appreciate the step up to 2000m based on his July run.

If he starts on terms this time, he could well be in the hunt in an open looking race.

Zackey continued, “It’s a very competitive race and giving weight away to the up and coming younger generation makes it hard to say how confident we can be, but he is very well in himself. His work has been good and he is full of himself.”

Zackey said that Smanjemanje’s first two runs of the season could be ignored.

“He is now fit and is hundreds. Even this morning (Tuesday) his work was very good and now all we need is luck in the running.”

Smanjemanje became known as the “giant killer” on the Highveld after his career was turned around as an early four-year-old by gelding and with the fitting of a cornell collar.

The latter was necessary after it was discovered that his breathing issues were due to him displacing his soft palate.

ends

Gill Simpkins
Public Relations Manager

The De Kock one has been posted already

Much better - thanks to agra and GC (tu)

Frodo FYI DT wrote the other two aswell

Just been flooded by releases more to follow

1 – CHESALON

Has not shown much in two runs for the Mike Azzie stable, but both were preparatory races for the Summer Cup over distances too short for him. This ex-Cape runner is a talented sort at best and finished third behind Pomodoro and SMANJEMANJE in this year’s 2200m Durban July at Greyville. Has winning claims from a fair draw and is at long odds.

Record: 19 runs; 5 wins; 8 places. Stakes R915,786.

2 – WHITELINE FEVER

Talented sort from trainer Sean Tarry’s stable. Game and versatile and has run well in this class this year, only being caught late by MUJAARIB (1kg worse off) in the 1600m Charity Mile at this track last time. There are doubts whether he will be fully effective over this tough 2000m but he’s a class act and is sure to be in the firing line when it matters if he does stay..

Record: 15 runs; 4 wins; 6 places. Stakes R548,850.

3 – SMANJEMANJE

Trainer Tyrone Zackey has aimed this six-year-old at the Cup since he was narrowly and unluckily beaten in the Durban July after being hampered. Although well beaten in his three races this season, his merit rating has dropped a point and he showed signs of coming well at the right time when fifth behind ZAMBUCCA (6kg worse off) in the recent Victory Moon Stakes. Respect.

Record: 43 runs; 5 wins; 15 places. Stakes R1,604,200.

4 – ZAMBUCCA

Trainer Saeed Mohideen’s charge showed he was above average when a close fourth in the SA Derby this year and sprang a 33-1 surprise in the Victory Moon Stakes over 1800m at Turffontein, beating ASTRO News (1.5kg better off) by a nose with seven more of his rivals here behind him. Not out of it, but faces a tougher task now and must overcome a wide draw.

Record: 16 runs; 4 wins; 8 places. Stakes R533,675.

5 - PIERRE JOURDAN

Top performer at best, but this Gary Alexander-trained runner has not won for more than a year and has failed in both previous runs in the Cup. Didn’t shape

in the Charity Mile, but was hampered at the start and had previously run promisingly in his comeback run after a rest. The racing saying goes: “A horse can lose its form, but never its ability” and this six-year-old comes into the picture.

Record: 25 runs; 9 wins; 10 places. Stakes R4,588,175.

6 - SILVER FLYER

One of seven runners from champion trainer Mike de Kock’s yard, he has always been highly regarded and appears to be peaking at the right time. His two races this season following a holiday have yielded a win and a fast-finishing fourth behind stable companion MUJAARIB (2kg worse off) in the Charity Mile, in which he was hampered late. Tough rival if he stays the 2000m trip.

Record: 13 runs; 4 wins; 5 places. Stakes R936,350.

7 - EMPENOSO HENN

Another De Kock runner. His five wins have been recorded from 1200m to 1600m and he will be racing beyond 1800m for the first time. Has never ranked one of the yard’s top horses, is unproven in this class and will be reverting to turf after winning on the Vaal sand last time out. Little appeal but does have room for improvement and wouldn’t be running if he was thought to have no chance.

Record: 13 runs; 5 wins; 3 places. Stakes R294,900.

8 – ILSANPIETRO (Brz)

Consistent and a great servant to the De Kock stable, he finished second in this race last year. Beat WAGNER (0.5kg better off) narrowly over 1800m recently in his return to action after a rest, but was disappointing when sixth behind ZAMBUCCA (3.5kg worse off) in the Victory Moon Stakes subsequently. Better over further and drawn wide, but should not be far away at the finish.

Record: 36 runs; 8 wins; 17 places. Stakes R1,461,900.

9 - SAGE THRONE

Trainer Colin Scott’s charge will be having his first race for three months and is likely to lack the match fitness of his rivals. Ran the race of his life to finish fourth behind Europa Point in the President’s Champions Challenge over this course and distance in April, but then failed in the Durban July and the Gold Cup. Fitness doubts and will have to lift his game to feature.

Record: 16 runs; 4 wins; 3 places. Stakes 392,400.

10 - SOUL MASTER

Downfield from a wide draw in this race last year, but trainer Geoff Woodruff’s charge is much better drawn in No 2 stall this time. The five-year-old was given a six-point penalty for winning the Java Handicap over 2450m recently and that sets him a tough task here, especially because he seems best over longer distances and has failed in previous tries in this class. Little appeal.

Record: 19 runs; 6 wins; 4 places. Stakes R476,650.

11 – VETTEL (Arg)

De Kock runner. Classy and was second to Jackson in the Daily News 2000 this year before finishing a close eighth in the Durban July. Failed in the 3200m Gold Cup subsequently and was then sidelined until fourth behind ZAMBUCCA (4kg worse off), ASTRO NEWS (2.5kg worse off) and Meadow Magic in the Victory Moon. Fitter now and will prefer this distance. Big chance.

Record: 11 runs; 3 wins; 6 places. Stakes R429,650.

12 - GOLDEN CREST

The second Woodruff runner, this lightly raced four-year-old looks outclassed, although he has fared reasonably well in his two preparatory runs. Finished sixth in the Joburg Spring Challenge and then ninth behind MUJAARIB (3kg worse off) in the Charity Mile. Fit now and is well drawn, but has not won at this level and travels beyond 1800m for the first time.

Record: 10 runs; 4 wins; 3 places. Stakes R269,825.

13 - ASTRO NEWS

Trainer Brian Wiid’s charge put up a great fight when pipped by ZAMBUCCA (1.5kg worse off) in the Victory Moon Stakes. Although only a two-time winner with his last victory coming in November last year, he has got relatively close to some top horses in the past, including running two lengths behind SILVER FLYER (0.5kg worse off) in October. Big chance if he stays this tough 2000m.

Record: 26 runs; 2 wins; 13 places. Stakes R505,850.

14 - BROOKS-CLUB

The second Azzie runner and arguably the stable elect with Robbie Fradd in the irons. Though only a one-time winner, he is most consistent and has finished on the heels of some of the top runners in the country. Ran third in the 2450m SA Derby in April and will stay this 2000m journey well. Well drawn, from an in-form stable and could run a big race, but it’s hard to envisage a one-time winner taking the Cup.

Record: 12 runs; 1 win; 9 places. Stakes R529,775.

15 - KNOCK ON WOOD

Given a four-point penalty for winning the KZN Breeders Million Mile in July and was then rested. Has been well beaten in both outings since returning to the races, but should strip fitter on the day and has room for improvement. His best efforts, however, have been at a lower level and over shorter. Unproven this distance and will need to lift his game to shape from a wide draw.

Record: 17 runs; 5 wins; 5 places. Stakes R928,000.

16 - ILHA BELA

Small but talented grey who has often failed to deliver the goods, including when finishing unplaced in this year’s Durban July. Needed the run when fifth behind ILSANPIETRO (0.5kg better off) here in October, but then flopped in the 1800m Victory Moon at this track recently. No chance on that effort, but this 2000m should be ideal for her ran and Anthony Delpech rides.

Record: 14 runs; 4 wins; 4 places. Stakes R923,950.

17 – SHOGUNNAR

Trainer Gavin van Zyl’s charge showed promise in his first four starts, including a 2.55-length fourth behind VETTEL (3kg worse off) over 2500m and a 4.25-length third behind Jackson in the Daily News 2000m. Subsequent three runs have been disappointing and finished third last behind ZAMBUCCA (4kg worse off) in the Victory Moon last time out. Well drawn, but needs to regain form.

Record: 7 runs; 1 win; 3 places. Stakes R154,400.

18 – MUJAARIB (Aus)

De Kock’s runner has yet to taste defeat and was well ridden to get up in the last stride to beat WHITELINE FEVER (1kg better off) in the Charity Mile last time out, his fourth win in as many runs and his first at this level. Has lots of scope for improvement and has useful prospects of staying the 2000m trip, which he tries for the first time. Should take plenty of beating.

Record: 4 runs; 4 wins; 0 places. Stakes R521,250.

19 – WAGNER

This four-year-old is highly regarded by trainer Joey Soma, who has got this minor feature-race winner into the field with a light weight and an obvious chance. Hampered when narrowly beaten by ILSANPIETRO (0.5kg worse off) over 1800m recently and then went on to make all the running over 1800m here. Much tougher task now, but race ready and must be included in Trifectas.

Record: 15 runs; 4 wins; 5 places. Stakes R302,100.

20 – SILENT PARTNER

Another De Kock runner and has won three times for the stable. Made a promising comeback from a rest when a 3.50-length fifth behind stablemate MUJAARIB (2kg worse off) in the Charity Mile in spite of coughing, but then made no impact behind ZAMBUCCA (3kg worse off) in the Victory Moon and finished seventh. Fully fit now, but will have to put his last run behind him to feature.

Record: 16 runs; 4 wins; 5 places. Stakes R299,575.

THEY are pish not going to post them ()