Clive Robinson
While Paul Peter is having his best season with a first Champion Trainer title within sight, it must be said he hasn’t really had top artillery for the Classics.
He does have some of the best sprinters around but young improving miler and middle-distance types have been lacking. However, in Shangani he does look to have one for the lucrative upcoming stayers’ races.
Shangani has always physically looked a top stayer in the making and his form shows it. He was given time to mature and after finding 1600m too short, he won three in a row over varying marathon trips. Not many can boast a profile like his in South Africa and it seems the top staying features are his for the taking.
So, with no decent staying types taking him on, he should have no problems in disposing of the field he takes on in the Grade 3 Lonsdale Stirrup Cup (Race 5) at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday.
Peter’s form could continue half an hour later in the Grade 1 Woolavington 2000 (Race 6). Sprinkles is one of his best three-year-old fillies around, but after having the ability to chase home champion Rain In Holland in the Grade 2 Gauteng Fillies Guineas and Grade 1 SA Fillies Classic she seemed to have lost her way. Her next start was not as bad as it looks though as the form line is proving to be one of the best around.
The runner-up, Under Your Spell, came out to win the Grade 2 KZN Fillies Guineas and third-placed Sparkling Water was unlucky not to beat the boys in the Grade 1 Premier’s Champions Challenge. Sprinkles suffered a scalp wound in the race and it may be the reason she also disappointed seven days later in the Gerald Rosenberg Stakes.
As a result she could jump at decent odds on Saturday.
The headliner, the Grade 1 Daily News 2000, has been a great three-year-old classic and a massive pointer as to how the age group will perform in the upcoming Grade 1 Durban July, but this one is tough to call. One of three Grade 1 winners, Cape Derby winner Pomp and Power, had a great trial in the Grade 2 KZN Guineas at the venue and has drawn in pole position.
But Safe Passage and Red Saxon (eventual winner) who fought out the Grade 1 SA Classic are in the race and could be anything over the track and trip.
