what the trainers say for the BIG day.

Racing express.


Mike de Kock (Dancing Lady, Elusive Model - Fillies Mile; Forest Path, Ant Of Agasta, Honour In Gold, Directorate - Dingaans; Rudra, Galant Gagnant, Equal Image, Autumn Frost - Summer Cup; Moon Storm, Winter Weather - Racing Association Handicap): Both Dancing Lady and Elusive Model will find this trip sharp but I’m running them to gauge what sort of ability they have. They are two nice fillies over a lot further. All four of my Dingaans runners are smart, with preference for Forest Path. He has the edge in that he has improved considerably since his last run. Forgetting that he is 7kg better off as well, he needed that run, is fitter and has improved. The others have all come up from Durban so I’m not sure how they will run. Rudra is my preference in the Summer Cup. He has done nothing wrong in his preparation. Although Galant Gagnant has had a good preparation, I would rather have had another run under the belt - it’s not ideal going into a race of this nature with only a 1400m run. His preparation has been good otherwise. Equal Image seems a better horse at sea-level, but we are trying a few things with him, like changing his work patterns etc. Hopefully this will get his mind more on the job. I’m not sure how he’ll go, but to be honest, he can do anything. He’s very capable. Autumn Frost is at the bottom of the race for a reason. He is also drawn badly and it’s going to be a tough ask. But if the handicapper’s done his job, he should have a chance. Moon Storm and Winter Weather have got to be suspect over the trip. Clearly the 2400m is no problem for them and they are decent sorts over that trip. But this longer distance, for me, is a question mark. Only the race will tell. Laat Waai (Race 1) is coltish and will probably need the experience.

Geoff Woodruff (Sharp Mistress - Fillies Mile; Aluminium, Prince Asad - Summer Cup): This is a hugely competitive field, but Sharp Mistress is a little better than we thought. She won when she was half ready. She has stripped down to a good fighting weight now and shows a fair bit of quality. Aluminium was badly compromised by the appeal board’s decision to lower Smart Banker and Rudra’s merit ratings - I believe it’s put the whole field out at the weights with those two. We’ve got to take it on the chin and try doing our best, but at the revised weights it’s impossible for him to win - the same applies to Prince Asad. The International Jockeys Challenge race where I’m running Kingdom Come (Frankie Dettori), Chariots Of Fire (Mallesh Narredu) and Profit Report (Darryll Holland) (Race 3) is a tough one - I love all three horses. At the weights Profit Report probably has the biggest shout - I’m not saying he’s the best horse - only at the weights. All three are consistent over 1400m. My feeling is that the pace will dictate the outcome. If they go hard, it will suit Chariots Of Fire and Kingdom Come. If they don’t, I’d lean towards Profit Report. Ability-wise I wouldn’t like to pick between them. Since Sunny Jim (Race 5, Mick Kinane) became healthy and has been given ground, his record speaks for itself. It’s his toughest race yet but I don’t think it’s beyond him.

Craig Eudey (Thandolwami - Summer Cup): He is a hell of a nice horse but our preparation has been a nightmare due to all the rain. In the last two weeks we’ve only been able to work on the sand twice, so he’s been on the grass four or five times. He seems well and left on Wednesday afternoon for Joburg. He is a good horse. Raymond galloped him the other day and was happy with the work. I think he’ll run a good race.

Brian Wiid (Gliding High - Summer Cup): The distance could be a problem. He is well and the way he finished over 1600m in the Charity Mile, there’s every chance he will get the 2000m journey. He’s a nice horse who has done whatever I’ve asked of him. He’s just been unlucky in his last couple of starts as the draw has been against him. This time he has pole position and can at least run the way we want him to. It’s nice that I drew Piere Strydom to ride Sardine Run (Race 3, Piere Strydom) because my horse performs well for him. Piere has won on him before so knows the horse. The only thing is he is a better horse over 1400m down the Vaal straight. He has never really done that well around the turn - but we’ve got to take our chances. I think Majestic Circle (Race 6, Damien Oliver) is a strong contender. He will run a cracker. This 2000m is his right distance. He is working well and is well in himself - he is a nice horse. As he gets older he is going to get better and will stay 2400m.

Sean Tarry (Captain’s Gal, Kiribati - Fillies’ Mile; Ethereal Lady - Merchants; Fork Lightening, Membrado, Angel Flight -Summer Cup; Matreshka, Royal Captive - Racing Association Handicap): Captain’s Gal is making progress. She is a filly who is up to this kind of test. She has a few lengths to find on Kiribati but has improved in her work. Kiribati’s prep has gone well and if it wasn’t for the draw, I’d make her the horse to beat. Ethereal Lady had a fair sprint-up when not ready last time out. She has improved a lot and should be in the shake-up. Succesful Bidder’s last run brought him along very well and I’m expecting a bold showing. Fork Lightening is doing very well. At this stage it looks like the going is going to be better than I hoped and even if we do get a few sunny days, the course should be perfect. I think he will run a good race. We give Membrado slight preference. I don’t think it’s an overly strong field - I have a healthy respect for Rudra - but we’re in with a chance. Angel Flight (reserve) would have been my first choice had she got in. She’s fit and in good shape and we are hoping for a run. Matreshka’s form looks disappointing but he didn’t act on the sand. He travelled too well in the 2600m race on the inside track at Turffontein before tiring. Last time out, Andrew Fortune’s stirrup iron broke, so a line should be drawn through that run. I’m really hoping for improvement as things haven’t gone too well for him in his last two runs and he needs better luck. Royal Captive is the right one. His prep has gone very well. Omega Warrior (Race 1) is a nice colt. He may need a bit further and obviously we have no idea of the quality of the opposition. It’s a tough race but we must have an Eachway chance. I couldn’t explain Kilcoy Castle’s (Race 3, Damien Oliver) run in the Charity Mile November Handicap. I was disappointed. The horse is in good shape and has a winning chance. Acheron (Race 5, Mallesh Narredu) is a consistent horse and in good condition. If given a good ride he has a winning chance. Humboldt (Race 9, Weichong Marwing) is a smart colt. He is coming back from a rest. I don’t think he’ll need the run and will be running at them at the finish.

Dominic Zaki (Strike Paradise - Merchants; Captain’s Table - Dingaans; Eddington - Summer Cup): Strike Paradise is better weighted than last time on a line with Rebel King. He has a realistic chance of running in the first three. Captain’s Table has drawn badly but is a nice horse. I think he will go close. On The Bluff (Race 7, Frankie Dettori) has done nothing wrong to date and is doing well at home. She will go close. Eddington’s last two runs were nice come-on runs. I’m not disappointed about his last run as he was badly handicapped. His prep went smoothly and I think he has peaked at the right time. The weights are closer in this race and with a bit of rain around, he should be right there.

Kom Naidoo (Nightstalker - Fillies Mile; Dynamite Mike - Summer Cup): Nightstalker is well in herself. Robbie Hill rode her the other day and was happy with her work. We are expecting a decent run from her. Dynamite Mike is slowly coming back to his best and we’ll take our chances.

Dennis Drier (Always A Pleasure, Pegasus Emblem - Merchants; Speed For Gold - Summer Cup): I think you’ll see a big change in Always A Pleasure and Pegasus Emblem’s performances since they last ran at Turffontein a few weeks ago. Pegasus Emblem is the bigger runner. Speed For Gold has had three prep runs and I can’t have him any better.

Alec Laird (Carbon Leader - The Merchants; Airbus, Sporting Boy - Dingaans): Carbon Leader worked quite well on Tuesday morning and should be effective over this trip. If he can make the frame, that will be a good run for him. Airbus has been slightly disappointing in his last couple of runs, but is fit and well and put up a decent gallop last week. He is a big baby in a way, but is ready to run a nice race. He is going to be a better horse next year and possibly as a gelding. The way he gallops, it wouldn’t surprise me if he made his presence felt. Sporting Boy has disappointed in feature races but I think he is more ready for it now. He is a worthy runner. I obviously respect horses like Cerise Cherry and Forest Path and one or two others but after that I think Sporting Boy is a worthy inclusion. Imperial City (Race 1) is the one with the experience and the best of my three runners. He is one of the horses to beat. First-timers Corner House and Royal Squared are both nice horses but I think they are going to need the experience. If either can run in the first four it will be fantastic. I believe the handicapper has got the better of Therealslimshady (Race 3, Weichong Marwing). It’s a bit unfair, making him a 105 while others - who are better than him - are coming down in the ratings. He is on the upgrade but it’s not going to be easy for him. He is quite well and should run a good race, though. Profit Report is probably the horse we have to beat. I would have preferred Tap Tap (Race 3, Kevin Shea) to be running over 1600m but the 1400m is alright and I give him a good chance. Urban Reason (Race 9, Kevin Shea) has the ability, is well and worth including in Trifecta and Quartets - with a bit of luck, he might even get there.

Andre Kirsten (Resounding Spirit, Virgin Blue - Fillies Mile; Farewell Dance - Dingaans): Resounding Spirit is the best of my two in the Fillies Mile. She’s a nice filly who will be trying 1600m for the first time. I think she will run a big race. I hope she can run in the first four. She’s definitely stronger than Virgin Blue. Farewell Dance is a classy sort. He has beaten Senor Versace - who is running in the Summer Cup - so I think he is in with a definite chance. E-Fuel (Race 5, Weichong Marwing) will be carrying a big weight and I’m glad I’ve got Weichong on him. He is a difficult ride and Weichong has ridden him before. If he can get him to jump on terms and just be with them for the first 100m, he is in with a big chance.

Tyrone Zackey (Mpumelelo - Dingaans): He is much better than before his last run. He had a virus and was only 75% fit for that race. His work is much better now and he put up a nice gallop yesterday (Wednesday). He is still not 100% - I would say about 90% race fit - and will put up a much better performance.

Gary Alexander (Flintlock - Merchants): He has come through his prep very well. I am quite confident. His two runs behind JJ The Jet Plane bring him in with a big chance. If ``JJ’’ was running in this race, he would be at odds of 4-10, so my horse is definitely in with a big shout. He is the best I’ve had him for quite a while now.

Alistair Gordon (Maelstrom - Merchants): I’m very happy with this filly. It’s her first run for us. She has had quite a few problems but had a good gallop at Summerveld when Anthony Delpech rode her. I have managed to keep her fit on a treadmill.

Joey Ramsden (Something Else - Merchants): If there is rain in the next day or two he will be a runner. If not, he is going to struggle.

Jan Breedt (Renegade - Merchants): I’m hoping for a bit of rain before Saturday. He is better than he before the Emerald Cup and will be most competitive. I have him spot-on and expect a good run.

Karen Anthony (Battlestar Express - Merchants): The handicapper was a bit harsh on this little horse and gave us seven points for his last win. His work is impeccable. We are top weight but he runs with a lot of heart and will give a good account of himself. The Computaform Sprint is what we’re really aiming for.

Just an update from Craig Eudie.
his horse "Thandolwami" did not leave on wed. he is still at home and will travel early in the morning, same plan as last time. gaudi is also well and will love the long straight.