KZN trainer Duncan Howells said his two Sansui Summer Cup hopefuls, Saratoga Dancer and Ten Gun Salute, had put in pleasing gallops over 1800m at Turffontein last Thursday and they were both “fit, sound and very well in themselves”.

He is also pleased with his Investec Dingaans pair Secret Captain and Roy’s Magic, although his one concern was whether the latter would stay the 1600m trip.

Saratoga Dancer put up an eyecatching preparation for the Summer Cup when staying on from a handy position to finish a 0,6 length second in the Peermont Emperors Palace Charity Mile. The long striding five-year-old gelding by Mambo In Seattle proved he would like the galloping Turffontein Standside course and that, as expected, he would come into his own with age. Saratoga Dancer ran a superb fifth in the Vodacom Durban July, so the tough 2000m of Turffontein Standside should be ideal.

On the downside he was drawn well in three in the Charity Mile, but now has a tricky draw of 13 in Saturday’s 20 horse field. Howells said how the draw was managed would all depend on the pace. A fast paced race would play into Saratoga Dancer’s hands, whereas a slow pace would make it tough. He added Craig Zackey knew the horse well and he would leave the ride to him.

Saratoga Dancer was raised one point for his Charity Mile second to 104 and will carry 55kg in the Summer Cup.

Ten Gun Salute, an Australian-bred four-year-old colt by Henrythenavigator, was described by Howells as one with a lot of ability but “things have to go right for him.”

In the Charity Mile he become upset when having to have  a shoe refitted at the start.

Howells revealed jockey Grant van Niekerk had not actually been happy about participating when trotting up after the reshodding. However, the course veterinarian had passed the horse.

Howells reckoned this chain of events, together with a slowing up of the pace, had explained the horse’s antics around the turn that day. Van Niekerk had dropped him out and moved on to the rail from a wide draw. However, around the turn Ten Gun Salute’s head was up in the air and twisted sideways. Howells added that even without those contributing factors Ten Gun Salute “is not the easiest ride in town,” on the best of days. Ten Gun Salute did well under the circumstances to stay on for a 6,2 length sixth in the Charity Mile.

Howells concluded, “He is distance suited and pretty well handicapped. The draw (nine) is just about right for him.”

He will carry 53,5kg off his 102 merit rating and Van Niekerk remains aboard.

Saratoga Dancer is currently a 10/1 shot with Betting World and Ten Gun Salute is at 15/1.

In the Investec Dingaans over 1600m Randall Simons has kept the ride aboard the well-bred colt Secret Captain, who is by Captain Al out of the amazing matriarch Mystic Spring, whose best progeny include last year’s Equus Champion three-year-old filly Bela-Bela as well as the like of Gr 1-winner Rabiya.

Howells took Secret Captain up to Johannesburg as he felt at this stage of his career the run in at Greyville was too short for him.

He elaborated, “He becomes unbalanced and needs to strengthen within his big framework before he can cope with a tight track like that. I can’t fault what he has done to date and he has plenty of scope for improvement.”

In his first start at Turffontein he flew up to run a head second to the decent sprinter Buckland in a 1200m Progress Plate. Then in the Gr 3 Graham Beck Stakes over 1400m he came from the back of a ten horse field to run a decent two length fourth to the highly touted pair Doosra and Heavenly Blue, with Singapore Sling in between. There was 3,75 lengths back to the rest of the field, so it was a fine effort.

Howells said the long-striding grey had “come on from the run.” He added he had initially been a bit disappointed as he had appeared to get to the leaders and then tire. However, in retrospect he had changed his view and said, “He has had to make up ground to decent horses from a wide draw, while the others were up there for free. It was also a bit of a false run race as the leader sped well clear and the second horse eased it up a bit. Secret Captain travelled very well on the turn. He over raced a bit, and that is not like him, he usually switches off. Now he has a good draw (six in a 16 horse field) which will help big time, he won’t have to sit back.”

Secret Captain looks likely on pedigree and running style to enjoy the step up in trip to 1600m.

Howells said about the Australian-bred Foxwedge colt Roy’s Magic, whose two wins in four career starts have been over 1200m and 1400m respectively at Scottsville, “He is well above average and was disappointing in the Graham Beck (11,75 length 7^th). He was probably too handy and battled to quicken. Now he faces a real test from a wide draw (16) and my one concern is the distance. He is laid back and has given the impression he will stay the mile. But he is by a sprinting stallion and I wonder whether this is a touch too far.”

Warren Kennedy has ridden him in all of his starts to date and remains aboard.

The Howells yard are due some luck on the Highveld. Having gone to the extent of setting up a satellite yard there for the current campaign this might be the meeting where it changes in their favour.

By David Thiselton