Gold Circle Pty (Ltd)

Today's Racing :

Big City Life suffers setback

This Saturday’s Champions Cup was to see the second round Champions Season clash between Pocket Power and Big City Life. However, Big City Life has had a slight setback in training and has been withdrawn by trainer Glen Kotzen.
"It is nothing serious but we have decided to take him out of Saturday's race," said Kotzen.
The four-year-old is still on track to defend his Vodacom Durban July crown at Greyville on July 31.
He won his last start in the Grade 1 Gold Challenge over 1600m at Clairwood and was raised four points in the merit ratings, putting him just one point behind Pocket Power.
However, the yard have appealed against the raise. The appeal will be heard tomorrow.
The R750 000 Champions Cup headline's All Stars Day and is run over 1800m. The race is normally run at the end of July, rounding off the racing season, and is often one race too far for the big stars of the Champions Season. But this year the race has attracted arguably one of the strongest line-up's seen in many a year not withstanding the scratching of Big City Life. With the Vodacom Durban July having been put back to the end of July, trainers have had to change their traditional build-up's to Africa's greatest horse race and has in many respects added to a superb Champions Season.
Up against "Pocket" are the likes of top "miler" Smart Banker, Summer Cup winner Rudra, Fabiani, Betting World 1900 and Daily News 2000 runner-up Bold Silvano and the very promising Galileo's Galaxy.
Duel Guineas winner Noordhoek Flyer will also take his place. Trainer Dean Kannemeyer decided after the Daily News 2000 that his charge was not ready for the 2200 m grind of the Vodacom Durban July at this stage of his career and in a change of plan, targeted the Champions Cup. With many of the opposition being specifically aimed at the July, Noordhoek Flyer's chances of winning should be enhanced.
It will also be make-or-break for the likes of Dan De Lago and Orbison. Dan De Lago has developed a bad habit of being left at the gate and with a place in the July subject to an invitation, any mulish display here will surely jeopardise his chances of making the field. Orbison is a talented colt but is on the borderline of a July invitation and will need a big showing to enhance his chances of making the final July field.
This Champions Season has delivered some superbly competitive racing and come Saturday, Champions Cup should add another chapter to an already intriguing and brilliant season.
Supporting features for the Champions Cup on All Stars Day are the Gold Circle Oaks and Derby plus the Golden Horseshoe and Golden Slipper, the two juvenile races usually run on July day.
The Derby sees recent Daily News 2000 winner Irish Flame in the line-up where he seems sure to start a short-priced favourite, while stable companion and Daily News runner-up, Bold Silvano, is a Champions Cup entry.
Both are trained by Mike de Kock who also holds a strong hand in the Horseshoe and Slipper with Kavanagh and Mahbooba respectively, both of whom should appreciate the extra ground.

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