Robbie Sage said yesterday his stalwart six-year-old gelding Coral Fever owed the connections nothing and believed he would give a good account of himself in the GBets Summer Cup on Saturday despite having to carry 60kg and give the opposition 5,5kg and more.

On the plus side only 12 of the 19 runners are in the handicap according to their official merit ratings, the other seven are under sufferance.

Coral Fever (JC Photographics)

Sage said, “Weight is weight and he has earned his. He is fine and will have a workout tomorrow (Tuesday).”

Of his draw of three, Sage said, “It’s like the July, he is in a sense drawn too well, but it is better than a draw of 20. But he will be dropped out anyway, that’s the way he likes to run, off the bit where he is comfortable. Muzi will also only let him go when he wants to go.”

The six-year-old Judpot gelding has made a habit of flying under the radar and never lets his supporters down.

In last year’s Summer Cup he finished third at odds of 22/1, when carrying only 52kg. He went in to win Joburg’s richest race, the Grade 1 Premier’s Champions Challenge, at odds of 71/10 and last time out won the Grade 2 Peermont Emperor’s Palace Charity Mile over 1600m with topweight at odds of 18/1.

Sage later runs another Judpot gelding, Horseplay, in the Listed Racing Association Handicap over 3200m.

He is 3kg under sufferance so is up against it but last time out when stepped up to a staying trip for the first time in an Assessment Plate over 2400m he won easily by three lengths.

Sage said, “He can be a bit difficult and can take a hold, so we are hoping for a bit of pace.”

He is drawn two so should find cover if the pace is on. Muzi Yeni rides both horses.

By David Thiselton