Andre Nel will have his first crack at the Gr1 Betway Summer Cup if all goes well with Cape Eagle who has his final race warm-up in the Remax Address Pinnacle Stakes that heads up the card on the turf at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Sunday.
The seven-year-old ran a smart race behind the useful Madison Valley last time out and looks well weighted in his warm-up for the big Highveld event and should be difficult to beat. Gareth van Zyl saddles Natyam who finished a length back to Cape Eagle when last they met in the Michaelmas Handicap but given this set weights race he is now 2,5kg worse off with the likely favourite. Positive Attitude has had two outings for Dennis Bosch, winning last time out beating Royal Swan Master on the poly. His best Highveld form was over much further but he looks competitive again. Queue Wing is seldom too far back and although he looks held at these weights he can still make an impression.
Darryl Moore saddles Happy Fortune in the first who was a beaten favourite at her second outing after making a fair debut. This trip should suit and she can make amends. Greenlight Queen showed up well on debut starting at long odds. The experience and the step up in trip from a favourable draw could see the required improvement from Tony Rivalland’s filly. Fate Decreed made marked improvement on the poly last run starting at long odds. She has the best of the draw and can hopefully build on that last effort. Woza Nawe has the widest draw but showed up well first run back after a lengthy break. She looks progressive and if overcoming the draw has a strong money chance.
Tony Rivalland is bullish about the chances over Lady Of Vix in the second after she made a smart debut over the distance and with the best of the draw and the experience she has strong claims even though taking on males. Dorset caught the eye when running on late behind Barry Du Grond. It was big improvement on his modest local debut and should make further improvement for Michael Roberts. Sun In My Pocket has been in the money in all three starts and was possibly in need of her last run as she ran out of steam late. She makes her turf debut.
In the opening leg of the Pick 6 Robbie Hill’s filly Hot Lava was a recent maiden winner but came from the clouds to get up in the last stride to beat the consistent Blowin In The Wind who franked that form, winning next time out. Alyson Wright’s filly enjoys a 1.5kg swing in the weights but given the manner of Hot Lava’s win and an extra 100m she could confirm the placings. Aspoestertjie is never far off the winner and Carl Hewitson’s mare should be competitive again.
Mocha Blend will be a popular exotic bet banker in the fourth as she made a smart debut for Frank Robinson, running on strongly from well off the pace. The switch to turf and this extended trip should bring out further improvement and she rates the one to beat. Possible danger is Queen Of The Air who raced green on debut and Frikkie Greyling’s well-bred filly is another that should enjoy this trip. Flying Hafla was game in defeat last time out but that was a rather weak maiden and the likes of Mocha Blend could prove too strong.
Mr Hotstepper shed his maiden at second time of asking beating the luckless Mc Dazzler but can make the step up as he was three lengths off subsequent Gr2 winner Cats Pajamas on debut and given his pedigree, Glen Kotzen’s gelding can step up again in the fifth. French Trip will be a threat as he has been in good form for Duncan Howells since joining the yard from the Cape. He was a beaten favourite last run but may have found the 2300m trip out of his compass. High Queue has consistent Highveld form and looks another strong contender. Clinton Binda’s gelding has not been out of the money in his last five starts and should be in the mix. Mike de Kock saddles the filly Grape Shot who was not far back in her local debut on the poly. She jumps in trip and is one to watch in the market.
The last two races are a competitive handicaps. In the seventh Pink Diamond found sudden market support before drifting out when trying the poly last time out. Lorenzo Karriem’s filly was due to run on the turf last Wednesday before the race was switched to the poly and she was scratched in order to take her chances here. Greenlightalltheway was a neck back to Pink Diamond when last they met but is now 2kg worse off in the handicap however the form of her maiden win has been franked. Forward Motion got a two-point drop in the handicap for her last run and Paul Lafferty has booked 2.5kg claimer Brevan Plaatjies to help her chances. Sascha’s Dream came good at second time of asking when stepped up in trip. She faces more exposed runners here but can follow up.
The last is another tricky handicap but Intrepid has been making steady improvement again and was beaten less than a length over course and distance last time out. Gavin Lerena takes over in the saddle and Alyson Wright’s gelding looks primed for this race. Trafalgar Square is another that has been improving again and goes well this course and distance. Immah is lightly raced and looks progressive. He is down in class and with Rachel Venniker’s allowance but must have a good money chance. Ndaka has patchy form but has been racing on the poly of late. He is quick and can go all the way on his day.
