Gold Circle Pty (Ltd)

Today's Racing :

Fernando hopefully king

Doug Campbell-trained King Fernando and the Kumaran Naidoo-trained pair, Dellotto and Al's Deputy, line up in a high class field for the R1 million Daily News 2000 to be run at Greyville on Saturday.
King Fernando, after showing a lot of promise, has been disappointing and Campbell said that if he ran below par again on Saturday he was likely to be gelded.
"I was very disappointed in his last start when we tried him with blinkers and also in a gallop we gave him over 1600m at Scottsville last Tuesday," said Campbell. "I am more hopeful than anything at this stage. I will know more after his final gallop tomorrow (Tuesday) and after his blood test comes back on Wednesday. He does love Greyville and has broken a class record there. Also Ian Sturgeon, whom he's run his best races for, will be back aboard. If he runs to his best I'm hoping for a place."
King Fernando is drawn wide in eleven, but will have no problems with the trip, having put up probably his career best performance over the Greyville 2000m course and distance when slamming a fair handicap field.
Dellotto was three lengths behind him on that occassion, despite receiving 1,5kg, but he did then improve to win the Listed Michael Roberts Handicap over 1800m at Scottsville when under sufferance.
He has subsequently been well beaten by Pierre Jourdan and Noordhoek Flyer in the Gauteng and KRA Guineas respectively.
Al's Deputy ran a blinder in the KRA Guineas when finishing a 3,1 length third to Noordhoek Flyer at odds of 100-1, having appeared to be a battling middle distance handicapper before that.
Back to a possibly more suitable trip, he will have to confirm that improvement, but this time has the disadvantage of a wide draw.
Janine Noordman, Naidoo's assistant trainer, said, "Both horses are well but it's going to be tough". – Gold Circle Publishing

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