Champion trainer Sean Tarry will make his first raid on Port Elizabeth on Sunday when he saddles Orchestrated and Stonehenge in the R350,000 Grade 3 Betting World Algoa Cup over 2000m on the Fairview turf track.

“I don’t really know what I’m up against,” said Tarry yesterday. “I do believe my two runners are unexposed and are better than rated. I’m upbeat about their chances.”

In all his years as a trainer Tarry has not taken a runner to the Eastern Cape, but admits the lure of a R350,000 race cannot be ignored. “Both are the right type of horse for an event like this and it has come at the right time. Horses with merit ratings in their 80s are not going to get into R350,000 races in Joburg.

“I think those two horses have the right profile. Stonehenge finished second to Legal Eagle in the Listed Derby Trial and Orchestrated I always thought had a bit of class and I think he was crying out for the blinkers.”

Orchestrated seemed to be losing his way a little but in his last start Tarry fitted blinkers and the change was immediate. The five-year-old son of Jay Peg was up with the pace the whole way in the Vaal River Handicap (Non-Black Type) on the Vaal sand and did well to finish a 1.50-length second behind Ahlaam.

Orchestrated is a four-time winner, all of which have been over 1600m and 1700m but he failed over 2000m when more than eight lengths behind Stonehenge.

“I believe he is crying out for the distance. I think he will be very comfortable with 2000m. He was losing interest and the blinkers have helped.”

S’manga Khumalo is a regular rider in Port Elizabeth and knows the course well. He is aboard Orchestrated who carries just 52.5kg, and they will jump from barrier No 2. Stonehenge has Julius Mariba in the irons but they will have to deal with No 14 draw.

“Julius knows the horse well and with just 52 on his back there was not much point trying to find another jockey. Stonehenge is quite versatile in that he can come from last or sit up with the pace so the draw is not a big deal.

“Orchestrated, on the other hand, likes to race up handy and S’manga likes to go up there so No 2 draw is ideal for him.

“I don’t know the form of the PE runners but I would just imagine if I were to contest a normal race down there my runners would win.

“I just hope they travel well and we get a true understanding of how the form correlates.”

The two horses left for Port Elizabeth on Wednesday night.
– Jack Milner for TABNews