The Highveld autumn season finishes up with their big meeting at Turffontein on Saturday, April 6 and with Champions Season on the horizon and many of the Western Cape raiders already in their stables at Summerveld racing locally will start to hot up.
The Kings Cup, a Listed event over a mile on the turf at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Sunday, sees Sean Tarry looking for some black type to boost the stallion prospects of Celestial City who comes from a blue-blooded pedigree including being a full brother to champions Rainbow Bridge and Hawwaam. He has not reached the heady heights of his siblings but he only has 53.5kg to shoulder from a plum draw and looks primed for his sixth victory.
Winter Games is likely to start at lengthy odds for Mike Miller but had some promising form in smart company before a lay-off. This is his third run back where he has shown signs of coming to hand and could be the surprise package. Narina Trogon was comfortably beaten by Imilenzeyokududuma when last they met but the former is now 4kg better off in the weights which should be enough to turn the tables. Trainer Lucky Houdalakis makes the trip from the Vaal with Laguna Verde who boast some fair Highveld form when blinkered. Watch the market here.
In the first, Paul Lafferty was confident that the striking grey The Ghost would run a good race on debut and but for racing green she could have pulled it off. She gets another chance here and can go one better. The Mike Miller-trained Magical View has had the benefit of experience with two starts under her girth. She was staying on nicely last run behind a Highveld raider and looks a threat.
There is not too much exposed form to go on in the opening leg of the Bi-Pot but Mike Miller could hold the key as he saddles half of the ten-runner field. Ethereal View is the choice of stable rider Tristan Godden and goes the turn for the first time but has consistent form down the straight. She could face stiff opposition from Grand Occasion who started at long odds for Michael Roberts on debut. She is sure to have come on from that run.
On paper Louise Goosen’s filly Emerald Green looks held by both Sweet Julia and Head Girl, both finishing in front of her last time out. However, Emerald Green, blinkered for the first time, only arrived on the scene late and with Richard Fourie staying aboard the tables may be turned. Sweet Julia was also running on nicely so must be a big runner but favourite Head Girl was running on empty late. However, that race was on the poly and the switch to turf could suit her better.
A tricky maiden opens the Pick 6. Run To Rio has drawn a little wide but has improved in two starts with blinkers and was close-up on both occasions. The extra furlong should suit. Captain Marsala has not been out of the money since racing in blinkers but has drawn widest of all. He does look held by Run To Rio on their previous meeting but should still be competitive. However, they may both have to beat Gorgeous Guy wo was a late starter but improved nicely on his debut effort over course and distance and with a better draw than the other more experienced runners he could pull this one off helped by Rachel Venniker’s 1.5kg allowance. Spelling Bee makes his local debut for Dean Kannemeyer coming off some fair Cape Town form. He is one to watch in the market.
The fifth is a tricky handicap but Andre Nel’s filly Rafeef’s Choice shoulders top weight but has been in good form since returning from a break and she has her third run after a rest. Fort J’Adore has been consistent and goes well this trip. She should be right there for Wendy Whitehead who’s stable is in good form. Miss Gibson has the worst of the draw but goes very well for Nicholas Patel and she can finish in the money again.
Gladatorian looks well weighed in this Pinnacle Stakes event that makes up the sixth and Stuart Ferrie’s smart gelding looks the part from his pole position draw. Tarry sends out Swing Upon A Star who will have his supporters after his last win and smart apprentice James Lihaba claiming his 1.5kg. Tony Rivalland has always rated Coin Spinner as a useful sprinter and has engaged Richard Fourie for the ride. The gelding’s last win was on this course with Fourie up beating Pray For Rain who has the worst of the draw but Carl Hewitson has entered him for the Gr1 Computaform Sprint on April 6 and this looks like a warm-up run.
The eight is a difficult handicap to call with any confidence but Garth Puller’s runner Pascali was making good headway from some way off the pace when third last time out. Teichman finished ahead of him that day but was one-paced over the last furlong as the winner stretched away. Back on turf with Fourie staying with the ride the tables could be turned. Iron Will tries for a hat-trick of wins after leading all the way last time out. He has a furlong extra to travel but cannot be written off lightly. Manic Monday takes on males but does have the best of the draw and looks the pick of Paul Lafferty’s two runners as she steps back to a mile with looks to be more within her compass.
In the last, Galaxy Explorer has not been far back when taking on stronger at recent starts and Rivalland has declared blinkers and appears to have picked the right race. Khanyisa Indlela is seldom far back and goes well over course and distance. He did well from a tough draw last time out on the poly. Tobacconist does not appear to like the poly so his last run is possibly best ignored. He had good form prior to that on the Hollywoodbets Greyville turf and must come into the picture.
