Forward Drive bids to add another chapter to his potential rags-to-riches story in the Itsarush.co.za Handicap at Kenilworth today as owners and trainers begin to focus on the staggering pot up for grabs in the CTS Million Dollar.
South Africa has seen nothing like it. The January 23 Cape Town race is worth R13.3 million – and going up all the time as the Rand depreciates. The stake is 30% more than the combined values of the President’s Champions Challenge, Durban July and J & B Met.
What’s more it’s going to be a one-off unless a miracle happens and the African Horse Sickness restrictions are lifted, paving the way for the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate to become a rich international race. In 2017 the CTS will divide the Million Dollar, and the stakes, into two.
Forward Drive, bought for only R 100 000, was raised eight points to 93 for the way he galloped the older horses into the ground last time and he will probably need another hike to be sure of getting a tilt at the golden chalice.
That eight points (4kg) closely equates to the three-and-a-quarter length winning margin so the handicappers have not been unduly harsh on the dashing grey. “He is improving all the time,” says Paul Reeves. “He is up in class here so we will see how good he is.”
He opened at 11-10 with Betting World yesterday and Kilrain (4-1) and Albarakah (11-2) look the two he has most to fear. The latter has been raised 2.5k for his two-length win ten days ago but he appeared to have a bit in hand.
Overshadow stands out in the first and opened 15-10 favourite despite being off for three months, but Justin Snaith provides a note of caution, saying: “I would be concerned if it is soft.”
Therefore an each way bet on My Man Alex (like Overshadow also eligible for the Million Dollar) could represent better value and he was a huge price at 14-1 yesterday.
Mystical Twilight was 5-1 in the TAB sheet forecast for the All To Come Novice Plate but that was too big a price and the bookmakers opened him favourite at a more realistic 15-10. People knocked his Turffontein Grade 1 third after he managed only fourth in a Kenilworth maiden but Vaughan Marshall promptly gelded him and he fairly trotted up at Durbanville last time. He can go in again.
Winter Trade is 4-1 second favourite and debut winner Royal Badge on 5-1 but Adam Marcus voices concerns, saying: “Although he is a magnificent horse and Priceless Jewel’s half-brother, this 1 200m could be a bit testing for him. He runs because our options are limited with Durbanville coming up.”
Albarakah’s running should provide a pointer to the chance of 5-1 shot Seven Wood who was second to him last time. March On is also on 5-1. He won first time but then managed only fifth in a handicap but he could be better than that. Billy Prestage says: “I thought he ran a very good race that day. He jumped into the horse on his outside leaving the pens and was bounced into the horse on his inside. By the time he came into the straight he was six lengths behind.”
The bookies are taking no chances with Icy Fire at 8-10 in the Soccer 6 Maiden but Greg Cheyne’s mount is impossible to oppose after her eye-catching debut. She would have won had she had a clear run.
By Michael Clower
Picture: Albarakah (Nkosi Hlophe)
