David Thiselton
The Championships Finale takes place today at Turffontein Standside, having been postponed from Saturday, and there are four Gr 2s and three Gr 3s to look forward to as well as the Gold Bowl, which is now a Listed race having once been an iconic Gr 1 event, such has been the concentration on speed over stamina in world racing in recent decades.
In the Gr 2 Senor Santa Stakes over 1160m the Tony Peter-trained dual Gr 1 winner Buffalo Storm Cody should stamp his status as the highest rated thoroughbred in training in South Africa at present. The merit rated 132 horse is 4kg better off than any other runner and has Richard Fourie up. If there is a bias on this track it usually favours the high draws and he has drawn 12 out of 12.
William Robertson is the joint second-best weighted horse and will not only enjoy the slight step up in trip from his disappointing run in the Computaform Sprint, where he was beaten 4,55 lengths by Buffalo Storm Cody, but he can possibly be ridden a bit less handy than he was there too.
Cosmic Speed is interesting because he has not run in a sprint for close to 18 months, but he had a fine record over sprints and he has a nice high draw of nine under leading rider Craig Zackey.
Mount Pinatubo ran a good fifth in the Computaform Sprint and has a nice high draw here over a step up in trip he should enjoy.
Truth has speed and the ability to kick on and should earn from draw six.
The Specialist has won his last three starts and this once high profile horse is on his way back.
In the Gr 2 TAB Colorado King Stakes over 2000m Fire Attack is 2,5kg under sufferance with stablemate Atticus Finch on official ratings but he has the class to prevail from pole position under Richard Fourie. A line can be draw through his Premier’s Champions Challenge run as it panned out terribly when he was forced out wide and began over-racing. Fourie should have him settled and he can bounce back to his best with a strong finish. Field Marshal is 7,5kg under sufferance with the best weighted, but he is on the up and has Zackey up from draw two so should make a bold bid. Atticus Finch is top class on his day, but has had epistaxis before and is none too reliable. Choisaanada won well last time and gave the impression he would enjoy this trip and he will be out to put his hand up for a place in the Hollywoodbets Durban July field. The Ultimate King has ability but will need to improve on his Champions Challenge run.
In the Gr 2 Igugu Stakes over 2000m Minogue has a lot of class and was not only close up in the Gr 1 Cartier Paddock Stakes over 1800m but should also stay this trip on pedigree being by Vercingetorix out of a Go Deputy mare who won over 1900m. Olivia’s Way went close in the Betway Summer Cup over course and distance and has a chance from draw four. Callmegetrix has some good form but this Vercingetorix filly is out of a Kabool sprinter, so there could be a stamina doubt.
In the Gr 2 Camelia Stakes over 1160m Whistle The Tune has a nice high draw and should be right there. Rodeo Drive has speed and class and should make a bold bid. Green Diamond ran a cracker in the Gr 1 wfa Computaform Sprint over 1000m and will enjoy this trip too, so should be right there.
In the Gr 3 Protea Stakes over 1100m Gimme Some Luck won by eight lengths on debut and the form has been franked. Time Is Precious is on the up and can go close to making it a hat-trick, despite having to carry 2kg more than the other runners. Sherlock Holmes is improving and could earn here.
In the Gr 3 Pretty Polly Stakes over 1100m Get Up should make a bold bid as she is a well bred sort and is 2kg better off with Good Day Sunshine for a 0,90 length beating plus she has the advantage of Craig Zackey up. Good Day Sunshine has to give the others 2kg but looks up to it and can go close to remaining unbeaten in three starts. Love Not War looks capable of improving and can earn.
In The Listed Gold Bowl over 3200m Shoot The Rapids bolted in by 9,50 lengths the last time he ran over course and distance and can give weight away here and still win. Enflame is on the up and is a threat receiving 6kg from Shoot The Rapids. Aladdin’s Lamp is in good form and should be in the top three too. Poet’s Warrior was well beaten by Enflame and Aladdin’s Lamp last time over 2850m , but he can be dangerous from the front and has pole position this time. Mo Ment ran well below par the last two times he ran in staying events, but he might well have benefited from a rest followed by two races over shorter and if at his best he could be dangerous from the front.
