He has not raced since the Golden Horseshoe on July day, when he weakened in the closing stages after leading early on, but Dennis Drier (pictured) confirms that he is reasonably ready.
“The Golden Horseshoe was too soon but I think he is an out-and-out sprinter,” Drier adds. “The Betting World Cape Flying Championship is a big ask for a three-year-old but it is at the back of my mind.”
Stable companion Beckedorf has also been off for four months – “He is a smart little horse and it’s just unfortunate that he has to bump one like Guiness” – but Sean Cormack’s mount looks the one. He was 9-10 with Betting World yesterday and that looks reasonable considering how far he is in front of the opposition on both ratings and last season’s form.
Second favourite Harry Lime (22-10) has the advantage of race fitness and seemingly he did not run up to his best when over six lengths behind Guiness in the Medallion. “He pulled up shin sore after that race,” explains Justin Snaith.
Western Force proved costly when starting favourite last time. He was found to be making an abnormal respiratory noise and not striding out on his right fore, but seemingly his problems were of a more delicate nature.
“We found that he had a twist in the string of one of his testicles,” Joey Ramsden explains. “He has been gelded since and I would like to think he is now a better horse. He works like a nice one.”
Bernard Fayd’Herbe’s mount is 33-10 favourite and looks the one in the opening maiden while stable companion Icy Winter Air (3-1) may follow up half an hour later. She is 3kg better with Nonki Poo (9-2) for two lengths.
However watch out for 4-1 shot Azarenka who hasn’t been out of the first three in five starts, all of them over 600m less. “She couldn’t go with them last time,” says the champion trainer, explaining the step up in distance. “But this is a test – it’s a big jump – so be cautious.”
Four-year-olds in maidens are not normally the ones to be on – if they haven’t won a race by this stage the chances are that at least one of three-year-olds will be better – but Big Ed didn’t start racing until June and he looks a worthy favourite for race three.
Smiling Mistress would have gone close against Cuvee Brut had she not lost so much ground at the start last time and Darryl Hodgson is expecting a big run from the 11-2 chance in race six, particularly if the wind is in the right direction. “I’m hoping the South-Easter blows,” he says. “She must have an outstanding chance on the way she worked on Saturday.”
But Mike Stewart is keen on the shoeless Promicing Polly (9-2) who is a kilo better with Abyssinia for three-quarters of a length. “She’s got a big chance,” says the Noordhoek trainer.
That said, this is Abyssinia’s third run after a rest and that may just swing the balance in favour of the 7-2 favourite.
