All eyes will be on two of the big guns warming up for the Gr1 Betway Summer Cup. Former Cup winner Royal Victory and See It Again face each other in a Pinnacle Stakes over a mile at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Sunday as they prepare to plunder the jewel in the crown of Highveld racing.
Both are racing over a distance short of their best and have not been out since the end of late season where they finished a lengthy apart behind Equus champion Dave The King in the Gr1 Champions Cup.
See It Again finished ahead of Royal Victory on that occasion, a reversal of the Hollywoodbets Durban July placings where Nathan Kotzen’s gelding finished third.
While not expecting fireworks, both will need a forward showing in their preparation for the R6 million prize.
See It Again flattered to deceive last season, putting in promising warm-up performances only to flop on the big stage, running creditable races but not quite getting there. Owner Nick Jonsson and Michael Roberts have since taken the bold step to geld their charge and this will be the geldings first test. If the operation has the desired effect, See It Again can go to another level.
Kotzen has done wonders with Royal Victory and few gave the gelding a chance when racing on the Highveld were KZN-based horses do not have a stellar record since the days of David Payne and Syd Laird.
But his last win was in the Gr1 Champions Cup and he will be out to defend his crown in the Summer Cup.
On Sunday the pair are rated way above the opposition so it is a case over class versus fitter runners. Peter Muscutt will be glued to his television on Saturday night as Isivunguvungu takes his chances in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint but locally his stable is in form and he sends out Formagear and the filly Mascherina.
Although both are badly out at the weights, they are racing fit. Formagear goes well over course and distance and won well in a comeback sprint last timeout. He will prefer this trip although way out at the weights with the above mention pair. Stable companion Mascherina has won three of her last four and off a light weight could give them the run-around.
Best bet on the card could come in the first where Tony Rivalland saddles Lady Of Vix. She was a short-priced ante-post favourite before being withdrawn from her previous intended start. She made a promising debut and should build on that effort. Rolling Stones fans will be rooting for Getoffofmycloud who showed up well on debut for Dean Kannemeyer and has had the benefit over a run over course and distance. Boa La is lightly raced but showed up well first run back from a lengthy break and was well supported in the betting.
The second is a tricky maiden with many in with chances. World Of Our Own found one too good for him when starting favourite last time out but he has shown up well in both starts for Alyson Wright and from the best of the draw can go one better. Duncan Howells saddles Rooster Bradshaw who made marked improvement at second time of asking. He can build on that effort and must have a big chance. Stuart Ferrie has pitted Hodgepodge against males but she ran a smart race over course and distance last time out and was well supported in the market. Irish Anthem was well beaten on debut in spite of being relatively short in the market but Mike de Kock’s charge gets first time blinkers and any market support must be respected.
