That fervour was dampened as his long anticipated debut proved to be a major disappointment as much for Mike Azzie as for the racing public in general, not to mention Piere Strydom who was the unfortunate jockey aboard.

Hat Puntano hardly raised a gallop and was eventually eased out of the race.

Hat Puntano

The critics were quickly onto social media hinting that South Africa had been sold another ‘lemon’.

But some serious introspection and a visit to a specialist bit-maker based in Pietermaritzburg got things back on track although after his debut flop, Hat Puntano was easy to back for the Charity Mile where he shouldered top weight.

The race proved a major turnaround in fortunes as Grant van Niekerk set for home with a wet sail and the Argentinian champion showed his worth by putting a high-class field to the sword for a much relieved trainer.

Azzie and son Adam, saddle the colt in a Pinnacle Stakes event at Turffontein tomorrow and given his Charity Mile performance and the weight structure, he looks impossible to oppose. Victory here will also set him up nicely for the Gr1 L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate to be run in early January.

Sean Tarry saddles three runners, best of which may be Social Order, runner-up to Hat Puntano in the Charity Mile. More was expected of Social Order in the Summer Cup where he finished seven lengths adrift of his lesser fancied stable companion Liege but he is capable of much better than that. However, given that this is a set weights event, Social Order will be hard-pressed to turn the tables on Hat Puntano.

Unagi has come well for Garry Alexander and comes into the race off a string of two wins on the bounce. He is obviously useful on his day but like all the field, he has it all to do against the top weight.

French Navy has not won a race in over two years but was finishing strongly behind Hat Puntano in the Charity Mile and was not too far behind Liege in the Summer Cup after jumping from a wide draw. He is also better off at the weights with Hat Puntano than Social Order but his current winning record is a concern.

Of the balance, Matador Man and Romany Prince have upset chances but given the Charity Mile result and the weight structure here, it will take a good one to beat Hat Puntano.

By Andrew Harrison