The Grade 1 Mercury Sprint could be the defining race in Sprinter of the Year honours and Gimme A Prince is the leading contender. He could cement his chance here. He is over his best trip and was a cracking winner of the Grade 1 Golden Horse Sprint carrying top weight in a handicap beating his smart younger rival Thunderstruck. There is a 5.5kg turn around in the weights in favour of Gimme A Prince which should in theory confirm the Golden Horse result. A more likely danger is Isivunguvungu although Peter Muscutt’s charge has been confined to 1000m. He was beaten by Gimme A Prince in the Grade 1 Cape Flying Championship but has subsequently win the Grade 1 Computaform Sprint. If he can see out the extra furlong, he could turn the tables on his rival although he has a wider draw to contend with.
Mercury Sprint preview video:
Future Pearl has cracking staying form and as a winner of the Grade 2 Gold Bowl and the G2 Gold Vase, both races over marathon trips he looks primed for the Grade 3 World Pool Gold Cup. He carries a half-kilo less than he did in the 3000m Gold Vase, a race that he won with plenty in hand. He has a good draw and he must have a strong chance of earning stayer of the year of he can pull this one off. Given the compress weights for this year’s race, last year’s winner Shangani is in with a fighting chance of lumping 60kg to victory. He has been lightly raced since his last win and caught the eye when running on for fourth in a slow-run Tack & Ball Derby. He should strip at his peak. Lyle Hewitson teamed up with Nabraas to win this race two years back and will be aboard Sean Tarry’s runner again as he takes a break after the Hong Kong season. Nebraas has been a little off form of late but stays well and Tarry has a knack of priming his horses for the occasion. Arumagum ran way below form in the Gold Vase after finishing second to Future Pearl in the Gold Bowl. Young apprentice Kayden Brewer gets on well with the gelding and it could make all the difference to his chances.
World Pool Gold Cup preview video:
