Clive Robinson
Paul Peter has had remarkable success over the last year and it culminated with a victory in the Grade 3 Marshall’s World Of Sport Gold Cup over 3200m at Greyville last Saturday.
Despite this race having lost its Grade 1 status over the years, it is still viewed by racing pundits as the country’s most important race for stayers.
Peter had earmarked this race for Shangani many months back and was delighted when the plan came together.
Now he has another stayer in his yard and he could be aimed at next year’s Gold Cup.
Lamborghreeni was looking for distance from his first run, even finding 2000m too sharp. But once put over 2400m coupled with the addition of blinkers, he was a different horse and quickly reeled off three successive victories over 2400m and 2600m.
The Gimmethegreenlight gelding has had two successive clashes with five-year-old mare Flying First Class and the two look set to do battle for the third successive time in Race 5 at Turffontein on Saturday, a Middle Stakes over 2400m on the Standside track.
Two runs back it was Lamborghreeni who took the honours, with Flying First Class in third place, beaten 1.35 lengths into third place.
They met again 11 days later and on this occasion the David Nieuwenhuizen-trained runner was 5.5kg better off and this time she was able to turn the tables, beating Lamborghreeni into second place by 1.50 lengths.
When they meet this time will be at the same weight differential as last time so on paper, at least, Flying First Class should confirm the form.
However, the last two starts were both over 2600m on the Inside track and this time it will be over200m less on the Standside course, which is a far more galloping track. It has the longer run-in and suits runners with stamina.
In fact, Lamborghreeni’s first win was over this course and distance and he won it by four lengths.
There is also a change in jockeys because as newly installed Champion Jockey Warren Kennedy will soon by flying off to ride in New Zealand, Muzi Yeni has picked up the ride. He is a superb judge of pace and he could probably ride the race blindfolded as he knows the track so well.
In addition, as Lamborghreeni is a natural front runner, he will not be depending on the pce as he is likely to go out there and set the speed that suits him.
Another runner that comes into the reckoning is Raiseahallelujah who has performed very well since arriving at Candice Dawson’s yard.
He has run twice over 2400m, once at Greyville when he won the race but was disqualified and the second at this course where he finished a one-length second behind talented Black Thorn.
The Querari gelding has to give 8kg to Lamborghreeni and 6.5kg to Flying First Class which will not be an easy task but he has raced against stronger and does need to be included in all bets.
