David Thiselton
A number of Summerveld trainers spoke about the chances of their Hollywoodbets Durban July day runners yesterday morning.
Tienie Prinsloo is bullish about the chances of his crack Vercingetorix three-year-old filly Quickstepgal in the Gr 1 wfa Ridgemont Garden Province Stakes over 1600m and after the below interview he stated that he believed she was going to beat the favourite Double Grand Slam.
He had said before that bold statement, “Everything is good with her, she is doing her best at home and I am very happy with her. Her draw of seven is a very, very nice draw in my opinion, it’s not outside and it’s not inside. I think she will have a nice jump from gate seven. The 1400m of her last win suits her down to the ground, but she did win the Gr 1 WSB Cape Fillies Guineas and as an older filly she might start preferring the mile. Anyway I don’t see any problem with this distance, we are just going to have to look out for Justin Snaith’s filly (Double Grand Slam).”
Tienie believed the right decision was made by the stipendiary stewards last time when Quickstepgal had a ding-dong duel down the straight with Mon Petite Cherie in the Gr 2 HKJC World Pool Stakes over 1400m and she kept the race after an objection against her. She will now be 3kg better off with Mon Petite Cherie, despite having beaten her by a short-head, so she should confirm the form.
Gareth van Zyl has King Pelles (Duke Of Marmalade) in the big one, the Hollywoodbets Durban July, and he said, “He is doing well, he has had no hiccups in his preparation. He is fit and is in a very good space and he is ready to run. His draw of 17 is actually nice as it means he will be out of the hustle and bustle that will be going on, so hopefully we don’t get trapped more than three wide. Horses have won going three wide, it is not always an excuse in a race like the July (with the probable most important factor being to get cover). I am not upset about the draw, it could have been worse if we had been in the middle and being bumped around. His gallop on Thursday was pleasing. He is not a horse who sets the track alight, he does what he needs to and he came out of it well.”
Gareth runs Dubai Dude (Declarationofpeace) and Place Of Practice (Vercingetorix) in the first race on the poly over 1600m and he said, “Dubai Dude put up an eye-catching gallop with King Pelles. If he had a draw we would be confident (but he is drawn 12 out of 12). If he doesn’t burn up too much gas from the draw he can definitely be involved. Place Of Pratice has the draw on his side and we are hoping that he is competitive, although first time out the maidens might be a bit tough for him.”
Grand Occasion (Danon Platina) ran at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday and runs six days later in Race 2 on July day over 1600m on the poly. Gareth said, “The pace was a bit slow for her on Sunday, but she has taken the race well and she might prefer the poly at the moment, so we will give it a go (in her last three runs on the poly she has had two wins and a second, so is in fine poly form and she has a good draw of four).”
Gareth has Imilenzeyokududuma (Dynasty) in the July consolation race, the Gr 3 Magical Zulu Kingdom 2200, and he said, “He is in very good form, he’s racing well and he’s loving his work and just loving life. He is looking like a young horse again and I would be surprised if he doesn’t contend the finish here.”
Tomyris (Vercingetorix) is also running in the Magical Kingdom and Gareth said, “She raced on Sunday and there is a chance she likes this 2200m trip. If she does she can maybe earn a cheque considering her light weight.”
Imposing (Visionaire) has thrived in the Van Zyl yard and Gareth said ahead of his engagement in the Listed Premier Gateway International Handicap over 1600m on the turf, “He is doing very well and from a decent draw it is the right type of race for him and I make him one of the principle contenders here. His run to Zeitz last time out was a very good run (0,90 length second over 1400m at Hollywoodbets Scottsville giving the latter 1,5kg) and proved he is competitively handicapped off a 107 merit rating. He is in a good space, he is a genuine horse.”
Gareth runs Serengetti Sun (Legislate) in the 11th race over 1200m on the poly and said, “She’s got more to offer. Last time from a wide draw there was merit in the run, she tired late and from a good draw this time out I think she is one of the principle contenders in this event.”
He runs Scarlet Starlet (Erik The Red) in the last race over 1200m on the poly and he said, “She was unlucky last time out, if she jumps well (from draw two) I think she could also be a principle contender. She is a horse with more to offer.”
Paul Lafferty brings the talented Danon Platina three-year-old Bruh back for his first run as a gelding having last run three months ago. He had a bit of a setback after the gelding which put him a little bit behind in his work. Paul said about his chances in Race 2 over 1600m on the poly, “He is probably a little bit behind the eightball, but I am hoping he will be up there because he is a decent horse, I have always rated him.” Bruh was looking in fine fettle when cantering past on the bottom sand track. Paul emphasised for all presenters around the country to take note of that this horse’s name is pronounced the same as the word “brew”.
Wendy Whitehead has the talented Buttercup Baby (What A Winter) in the 11th race, a polytrack event over 1200m. She was asked to just do a light canter on the bottom sand on Monday morning as she has had plenty of racing lately, although she will do faster work on Tuesday and Thursday. She had a gleaming coat, underlining her well-being, and Wendy said, “She likes to race up in the first section and she has a good draw with Rachel Venniker up claiming the 1,5kg. She is back on the poly which she loves. She is in a great space and will go close.”
Wendy’s charge Sundance Kid (Master Of My Fate) runs in race 2 over 1600m on the poly and she said, “He is working very, very well. He is coming into this race fresh (last ran on April 24), but he loves to run fresh and he loves the polytrack and 1600m is his game. He is a very competitive horse, he tries hard every time, so I am hoping for a great run. He has so much gatespeed that he should be able to overcome his draw of 12 easily (under Calvin Habib).”
MJ Odendaal runs Johnny The Thief from pole position in the Gr 3 Magical Kingdom 2200 and he said, “He ran fourth in this race last year, despite things not going his way.. He ended up leading and he’s always been better from off the speed. He normally runs well quite fresh, so we’re coming into the race fresh (last ran on April 24). He had a proper, proper mile gallop last week Tuesday. I am not saying we are going in confident, but I’m quietly confident he will be in the money.”
Interestingly, Johnny The Thief sneaks into the handicap with the minimum weight of 52kg off his 94 merit rating and last year he was 2kg under sufferance off a 92 rating.
