SAP Cup FINAL FIELD

The Gr 2 R1 million Supreme Cup sponsored by SAP and to be run over 1450m on the Vaal sand on September 26 is going to be a fascinating contest. The final field for the continent’s most prestigious sand race was unveiled today on the Riverside Sun Hotel’s Liquid Lounge boat cruise and more than just a few “whoops” were heard during the ceremony because it quickly became apparent that this was not only a class field but also an intriguing one.

The intrigue is provided by two horses that have never raced on the sand before, Willow Magic and Ultimate Dollar, and by the horse who stands to win a R100,000 bonus, Roman Carnival.

Willow Magic, from the yard of champion trainer Sean Tarry, is a Gr 1-winning sprint miler who is now five but is still at the top of his game.

Ultimate Dollar, from the new Highveld satellite yard of former champion trainer Justin Snaith, ended a luckless Champions Season campaign by romping home in the Gr 3 tabGold 2200. He is affective over this trip too and has drawn well in two.

Roman Carnival is out to land the R100,000 bonus offered by World Sports Betting for any horse that can win both the Gr 3 World Sports Betting August Stakes over 1200m and the Supreme Cup. He destroyed them in the August Stakes last month and will relish the step up in trip, but he does have it a bit tougher at the weights and has to overcome a wide draw.

Another intriguing entry is Deputy Jud, the Gr 1 SA Derby-runner up. He goes well on sand and his low draw looks ideal for his strong, galloping style, although he would prefer further.

His stablemate Isphan has enjoyed a good preparation and looks nicely weighted over a suitable distance, and he could overcome his wide draw with his speed coupled with his ability to run on.

Toro Rosso was a convincing winner over course and distance in his last start and either he or Mootahadee, who was also an impressive winner over course and distance last time out, could give Mike de Kock a third victory in this race.

Precursor is a speedster in the mould of last year’s winner Tommy Gun so is most interesting from pole position draw.

Jade Vine is also in this category and should have come on from his last run which followed a five month layoff.

Uncle Tommy has finished third and second in the last two runnings, but looks a bit high in the weights these days.

All The Bids is another who looks to have it tough at the weights.

TapTap Makhatini finished sixth last year but is interesting because he runs well fresh, although his wide draw makes it tough.

Lavender Landscape loves the Vaal sand but would prefer further and the handicapper might have his measure.

Solar Triptych has a tough task on paper but is relatively lightly raced and open to further improvement and should have come on from his last start.

Why does Kiss Me Hardy not get a run? recent form?

Well something had to make way for the unexposed Snaith runner :huh:

For me I think Raise the Red is unlucky not to make the field - and Jade Vine very lucky to get in. Toro Rosso would have been my clear first choice, but after the draw I am very glad that no one offered ante-post betting :ohmy:

Willow Magic looks the part for me, perfect jock for this horse will be sitting with a double handful 300m out
Will come home lonely imo

Craig Pienaar wrote: Willow Magic looks the part for me, perfect jock for this horse will be sitting with a double handful 300m out
Will come home lonely imo

Wouldnt be surprised if a few of the wider drawn horses are not late scratchings?

Mootahdee for me, that was some hard knocking sand horses he gave a humping to the other day , 6L? could have won by at least double that

Bob Brogan wrote: Wouldnt be surprised if a few of the wider drawn horses are not late scratchings?

Mootahdee for me, that was some hard knocking sand horses he gave a humping to the other day , 6L? could have won by at least double that

I agree 100% - Precursor from draw 1 could now be looking for this trip and is the danger imo - Toro Rosso even from that draw will still be a threat; I generally prefer to ignore sand debutantes in these 'big' races' - so Willow Magic not for me; also the the Snaith runner imo has the added disadvantage of preferring more ground - I think though Justin has picked the perfect 'prep' for the rest of his Gauteng campaign - at worst will get in a decent gallop - at best could pick up a very nice check for the connections

Precursor! Been crying for a bit extra and bonus of being drawn 1. Think Zaki has been looking after that merit rating by restricting the horse to 1200m. Joostes love a big day too.

Interesting race . I kinda agree with all the above comments. Willow magic has the proven class but not on the surface while there are a few that have shown improvement on sand and could be anything. Hard to know what to actually commit to bet wise at present.

To quote someone sometime ago "not Africa's biggest sand race but the world's". The rest of the world seem to run on other stuff.

9/2 jf Willow Magic and Mootahdee, early money for Deputy Jud 8/1 into 6/1 and the August Stakes winner is 10/1