The R1 million Supreme Cup sponsored by SAP has been won over the last few years by a speedy, well drawn horse and the Dominic Zaki-trained Precursor fits the bill.

He is not badly treated at the weights and in his third run after gelding last time out over 1000m on the sand he was staying on well and should now be cherry ripe. Zaki believes he will have no problem staying the trip and on pedigree he should do so being by Captain Al out of the London News mare Oracle News, who was a sprint-miler.

Toro Rosso has a terrible draw but could overcome it with his early pace and he could then gallop all the way to the line over a course and distance where he has impressed before.

Willow Magic is a classy sprint miler who might just need it according to his trainer but he is in good shape and his class might pull him through. He could use his pace to overcome a tricky draw and on pedigree he should enjoy the sand.

Deputy Jud has been the talked about horse for this race as his work has improved with recent gelding and he is a powerful galloper who jumps from a good draw. The trip is on the sharp side but he should be staying on strongly.

Mootahadee takes time to come to hand but is useful when he is at his peak and he showed he was roundabout his peak last time out when thrashing them over course and distance. That effort earned him more weight but he has a fair draw.

Roman Carnival, who stands to win a R100,00 bonus sponsored by World Sports Betting for doing the August Stakes Supreme Cup double,  has both speed and the ability to stay a mile so should be a big runner but on the downside he has to overcome a wide draw and a ten point merit rated raise.

Isphan has plenty of speed but has been looking for this trip, so it is a pity he has landed a wide draw. He will be a big runner if his excellent gate speed enables him to find a good position in the running.

Jade Vine is an ideal Supreme Cup type being a sprinter to 1450m horse who loves the sand and who has a good draw of five. She is also officially the best weighted horse in the race, but on the downside she has had an interrupted preparation after suffering a mild colic which forced her to miss her last intended start two-and-a-half weeks ago.

Sand specialist Taptap Makhatini runs well fresh and this handy type is effective from 1450m up to 1800m, but his wide draw makes it tough.

Ultimate Dollar showed his class when winning a Gr 3 over 2200m comfortably at Greyville last time and he is effective over this trip. He will enjoy the long straight as one who takes time to get into his big stride, but a concern is that Jet Masters generally don’t appear to enjoy the Vaal sand and he might not also have the necessary early pace to take advantage of his plum draw of two.

Solar Triptych appears to be a 1400m specialist and has a fair draw of seven, but he has it all to do being under sufferance and it is not certain that he has that much more improvement in him.

Topweight Uncle Tommy has done well in this race before but he looks to now need some relief from the handicapper.

All The Bids would prefer further and also looks to be too high in the weights.

Lavender Landscape enjoys being up front so his draw of eight makes it tricky and he would likely prefer 1600m. He doesn’t have it easy at the weights either.

The selection is in the order mentioned.

In the first race over 1200m Will Pays is a classy sort who showed his liking for the sand when running close behind the brilliant Trip Tease over 1000m last time, so is the one to beat despite a tough draw of nine.

In the second over 1450m Brad’s Surge will love the step back to this trip and can beat another horse on the up, Battle In Seattle, although they both have tough draws.

In the third over 1200m Sweet Painted Lady could do well from a good draw off a lowered merit rating, although Easy Game and Second Bite also look to be worthy inclusions.

The fourth over 1000m could be won by the exciting Speedy Gonvarlez from stablemate Howdulikeit. Perfumed Lady, Speedy Suzy and Mella Maria also have to be considered.

In the fifth over 1000m Haddington makes most appeal and could beat Faberge Style and Noah From Goa, although Alaca and Kingoftheworld should also be considered.

The sixth over1450m could see Walking On Air continuing her progression, although Peep Show will be a threat and topweight Antonia’s Fortress should enjoy the sand on pedigree and is distance suited.

Trip Tease could defy topweight in the eighth over 1000m, although it is wide open beyond him and each/way value could be provided by the speedy lightweight, Victorious, who should love the sand on pedigree.

The ninth over 1000m could see the flying Little Genie winning again as the handicapper has likely not caught up with her yet and she could be followed by the big, strong Drifting Dusk and the small horse with a big heart, Brigtnumberfour.

The tenth over 1800m could be won by the progressive Big Shot from Isosha and Capricorn Ridge.

By David Thiselton

Picture: Mootahadee (Nkosi Hlophe)