Tsogo Sun Gold Medallion Analysis

By David Thiselton





Dennis Drier has a shout of winning the Gr 1 Tsogo Sun Gold Medallion over 1200m for the sixth time in eight years at Scottsville on Saturday with Sand And Sea, although Naafer looks the one to beat.

A lot of the KZN runners in the race can be adjudged against Sir Frenchie, who was beaten 13,15 lengths in the Kuda Sprint over 1200m on Sun Met day, albeit from an unfavourable high draw.

Barrack Street, scratched from the Medallion yesterday, was a 5,15 length fifth in the Kuda Sprint, jumping from a plum low draw. He then won two features in Jo’burg, but was subsequently beaten four lengths by Naafer in the Gr 1 SA Nursery. Naafer was also two lengths in front of Wonderwall in the Nursery and the latter was the narrow runner up in the Kuda Sprint. This all points to Naafer being the horse to beat in the Medallion.

Warrior’s Rest ran on in eye-catching style in the Kuda Sprint for a far from disgraced sixth, considering he jumped from a very high draw. He subsequently showed his class with a comfortable win over 1400m on the Highveld. He would probably prefer the latter trip, but as a solidly built horse with a big action he is likely to relish the tough Scottsville track and should be running on strongly.

The 4,85 length fourth-placed finisher in the Kuda was Apollo Star, who was subsequently beaten over the same Kenilworth 1200m course and distance by Captain’s Charm.

Sand And Sea thus comes into the equation, because on debut over 1200m at Scottsvile he was green but ran on well to beat Captain’s Charm by 3,5 lengths, although he was receiving 3kg.

Sand And Sea was also giving 3kg to Al Mariachi that day and only beat him by 0,5 lengths. However, Sand And Sea is entitled to improve and will have the advantage of Anton Marcus aboard, being part-owned by Mayfair Speculators.

In his two KZN runs Sir Frenchie has finished close up carrying topweight both times. If the Kuda form is taken literally, these runs put a dampener on the chances of the like of Varallo, Sniper Shot, Procal Harum, Woljayrine, Arianos Bagofgold and Autumn In Seattle.

However, Varallo was likely below his best last time having jumped sideways into the gate at the start. This classy Var colt, winner of his first two starts, has always struck as one with plenty of scope and the blinkers are now on for the first time. Furthermore, his trainer Charles Laird has an outstanding record at this meeting,

The most unexposed horse is Keanan’s Rock. On debut last week, this robust gelding by former Medallion winner Seventh Rock lost about three lengths over 1200m at the Vaal in a field consisting mainly of moderate older maidens. However, he ran on powerfully to beat the well-bred Flexible Fugitive by 1,3 lengths and there was a further 4,75 lengths back to the rest of the field. He could be anything and interestingly Sean Tarry’s usual first call jockey S’Manga Khumalo will be aboard him at the expense of Warrior’s Rest.

All of the runners have to be respected, but on form it all points to Naafer being the one to beat with Sand And Sea and the imposing Tarry pair being the dangers alongside Varallo and Al Mariachi.

sand and sea was not giving 3kg to Al Mariaci - he was getting 3kg

Sand And Sea was also giving 3kg to Al Mariachi that day and only beat him by 0,5 lengths.

Even with the weight turnaround I don't think Al M will beat Sand and Sea. Sand and Sea pretty impressive on debut, will come on alot from that first run.