Gavin van Zyl has a team of 16 horses being looked after by his son Chesney at Turffontein at the moment and at the top of this list is his Dingaans hopeful, Bulsara. “Bulsara had a very good preparation run over 1 200m at Turffontein in October and we felt that he had made enough improvement from that race to win the Graham Beck Stakes. He duly won that race.
“We feel that he is a horse who is improving all the time and is definitely on the up. Galileo’s Galaxy beat us at Clairwood over 1 500m by 2,25 lengths in July. We were giving away 2,5kg and it was also a preparation run for Bulsara for the Gr 1 Premier’s.
“Bulsara also didn’t wear blinkers in that defeat to Galileo’s Galaxy. Blinkers have improved him, and we also feel he is better as a three-year-old.
“Having said that Galileo’s Galaxy was making his debut that day so will make natural improvement. He is a horse we have a lot of respect for especially considering the win he had on Saturday.”
Galileo’s Galaxy beat another Guineas contender, Galanthus, by 1,5 lengths last Saturday at Turffontein over 1 600m although he was receiving 2,5kg.
Bulsara lost the Grade 1 Premiers at the end of July, his last race as a juvenile, by a head to Exilaration.
He beat Exhilaration in his last start over 1 400m in the Graham Beck by 3,25 lengths when receiving a whopping 6,5kg, which still puts them very close together. “Bulsara was still green when first
meeting Exilaration in the Premiers,” said Van Zyl. “Back at level weights in the Dingaans we think we could turn the tables, especially considering the good preparation he’s had.”
Another horse that has caught Van Zyl’s eye is Pierre Jourdan, winner of the Emperor’s Palace Ready To Run Cup.
“Pierre Jourdan beat a strong field of Ready To Run horses,” he said.
“Although that was a limited race, he has been visually impressive and looks an above average horse.”
“To win the Dingaans we will have to be at our best, because traditionally, as is the case this year, the race brings together some of the best up and coming three-year-olds in the land.”
Van Zyl’s good filly, Prestic, who won the Grade 3 Yellowwood Handicap over 1 800m at Turffontein last year before finishing second in the Grade 2 Tibouchina and third in the Grade 1 Garden Province over 1 450m and 1 600m respectively, is being rested until the autumn feature season in Johannesburg.
“Her ultimate goal is the Gr 1 Empress Club Stakes at Turffontein,” said Van Zyl. Of the other horses he has on the Highveld he said, “Onehundredacrewood finished a good fifth in the Ready To Run and has a bright future.
“Cashew Nut didn’t stay 1 400m last time so we will bring her back to the
minimum. Saltwater Girl finished a very pleasing third in her last start over too short a distance. “Cupid’s Prey won a very nice race at the Vaal last week. He and Swan Neck, who made a nice debut last week, are ones to watch.
“We are trying to get Cape Town ready for the Summer Cup.”
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