Glen Kotzen, who is bullish about the chances of Gold Standard in Saturday’s Sun Met, looks to have a big runner in the R1 million Kuda Sprint in Gold Image. However, this race looks to be a minefield and Place Accumulator punters will be happy to get through it still running.

Gold Image, a Horse Chestnut filly out of a Tamburlaine maiden, broke the course record for 800m at Kenilworth on debut. She beat the Mike de Kock-trained Captain Al colt Captain My Captain. However, she is certainly not just a tearaway. She had a recent gallop at Kenilworth, which was “very, very impressive”. Based on the gallop Kotzen believes she will see out the 1200m trip of Saturday’s race. He makes her a “huge runner.”

However, on the downside, she is one of only two fillies in the race. She is also one of only five horses, along with Barrack Street, Bold Respect, Puget Sound and Sir Frenchie, who will carry a 2kg penalty for a win. Therefore, by no means can she be regarded as a banker.

It is a 20 horse field, but the draw might not be a big factor if the wind prediction on Windguru is correct. The wind is predicted to be only between seven and twelve knots and will swing from north westerly at 11h00 to south westerly by 14h00. A South Westerly wind comes over the main stand and in those circumstances the front-running horses do not provide as much of a shield to horses behind them as they do when the infamous south easterly is blowing. The earlier north westerly should not have any impact on a race.

Captain My Captain, who is drawn 20, has enjoyed a good preparation. He followed his debut with a good third over 1000m and he wasn’t stopping at the line. He looks likely to come on further from that run.

Wonderwall, who is one of five runners from the Sean Tarry yard in this race, was making his debut when finishing second over 1000m, beating Captain My Captain by 0,2 lengths. He should come on from the run.

 

Warrior’s Rest is a big What A Winter colt with plenty of scope. On debut he caught the eye staying on over 1000m despite being green. He should appreciate the step up in trip being a three-quarters brother to the useful sprint-miler Bichette and a half-sister to Gr 1 Woolavington winner Viva Maria. The winner Warrior’s Rest’s last start was Sir Frenchie, an Australian-bred by Choisir. It was his debut and he dropped back to last before running on to win in good style. Bernie finished second to Sir Frenchie, showing good speed before tiring late. It was his debut and coming from the Candice Bass-Robinson yard, he should improve.

Vortex Star ran on well for third in that race on his debut and Frankie Dettori now takes the ride.

Varside was a staying on fifth, beaten 1,3 by fourth-placed Warrior’s Rest, and next time out he stayed on again, but was nearly five lengths behind Wonderwall and Captain My Captain.

Bold Respect won well over 1000m second time out and this long-strider will enjoy the step up to 1200m. Two horses were running on in eye-catching fashion behind Bold Respect, namely Volcanic Sunset and Apollo Star. They should both appreciate the step up to 1200m. Bold Respect was beaten 1,25 length by the speedy Dynasty colt Barrack Street on debut over 800m, but was staying on well.

Barrack Street is not an imposing sort, but has a big action and plenty of speed. On pedigree he should stay the trip as he is a half-brother to Jay Peg, a four-time Gr 1 winner from 1600m-2000m. Barrack Street is part-owned by Mayfair Speculators, who retain Anton Marcus. However, interestingly, Marcus will be aboard the other Mayfair Speculators-owned runner Big Mistake. The latter ran a 2,5 length third to Barack Street in his only run to date. He showed speed, but was green and tired late. He should come on significantly for the run, being a Bass-Robinson horse.

The third of the Bass-Robinson runners is Wall Street Trader, who was well beaten on debut, and the blinkers are now on.

Puget Sound showed pace throughout on debut over 1000m at Turffontein and surged late to get up. Gavin Lerena keeps the ride.

Henry Tudor was staying on over 800m on debut and this Var colt should enjoy the 1200m trip.

Snow Boarding ran on well over 1000m on debut at Turffontein, but the form is questionable.

Lacerta showed pace second time out over 1000m to be beaten only 3,3 lengths by the promising Namibia and how the latter goes in race two on the card could be a pointer to her chances.

The only first-timer is Australian-bred Riker’s Island by Delago Deluxe, who won two Gr 1s at Scottsville.

It is an ultra tough first leg of the PA, but the big horse Warrior’s Rest makes most appeal and  fancied to follow him at this stage, in order of preference, are Wonderwall, Big Mistake Captain My Captain, Barrack Street, Gold Image, Bold Respect, Sir Frenchie, Volcanic Sunset and Vortex Star.

By David Thiselton