David Thiselton
The finish of the Gr 1 Betway Summer Cup could well see a prominent showing for KZN raiders and the Gareth van Zyl-trained King Pelles could be the one to prevent the Alec Laird-trained Atticus Finch from retaining his crown.
King Pelles is the Equus Champion Stayer, but has blossomed into a horse who is by no means a dour stayer. He showed a terrific turn of foot in his staying race wins, but this season has sharpened up and has produced eye-catching performances over 1200m and 1600m respectively. With the assets of both stamina and class he could be the one to beat and he has won in soft going before too. S’Manga Khumalo has won the Summer Cup before and should be able to make a plan from a tricky draw of eleven. Atticus Finch has blossomed this season and the six-year-old first caught the eye when running on strongly for a narrow second in the Gr 2 Betway Jopburg Spring Challenge over 1450m before treating the Gr 2 Allied-Steelrode Onamission Charity Mile opposition like horses a division below him when romping home to a three length victory. He has the same draw of two that he won from last year and Calvin Habib retains the ride. Madison Valley ran fourth last year and has improved since then with gelding, but he does have to overcome the same 18 draw he had last year. Craig Zackey has been in devastating form and will help him overcome the draw. Former winner Royal Victory is ultra consistent and has the same 125 rating he had last year when beaten three lengths and being a touch unlucky. He is drawn 14 whereas he won from draw 13 two years ago. On My Honour has shown signs of class and the best has likely not been seen of him yet. He is drawn well and sneaks into the handicap with the minimum weight of 54kg, so has a chance with the flying Serino Moodley aboard. The Equator is favourite but that is based on the reports of his ever improving homework, because his two wins in SA have been to far lesser opposition. He is drawn well and will relish the course and distance and the soft going, so could be a player, but he is little value at 5/2 with the sponsor. Olivia’s Way will relish the course and distance and the soft going, but she is 2kg under sufferance. Busstopinhounslow, who is also officially 2kg under sufferance, is capable of a strong finish from off the pace and is an unknown factor over this trip. This New Predator gelding is out of a Silvano mare whose only win was over 1200m so it is debateable whether he will see it out. My Best Shot sneaks into the handicap with the minimum weight and stays the trip and possesses a good turn of foot. He is hard to fancy on Hollywoodbets Durban July form, but there were mitigating factors and Richard Fourie is bullish about his chances. Mocha Blend is way out at the weights but looks to have some class and could be better than her rating suggests. Legend Of Arthur was scoped with mucus last time but if this SA Derby winner is able to bounce back to his best he could be a runner. Wild Intent was a narrow second in the SA Derby, but hasn’t shone since. Son Of Raj is a former SA Derby winner, but he has never been a threat in any Gr 1 since then. Otto Luyken was the winner of the July consolation race and he should enjoy this course and distance and is in the handicap, but he would have to produce a career best to win here. Navajo Nation should also run well, but winning the race is a tough ask. Parisian Walkway is a potential pacemaker. On pedigree he should stay the trip, but he still has to prove it. The Ultimate King is a progressive sort who is drawn in pole, but he has a tough task at the weights. Solar Sail was third in the SA Derby, well clear of Olivia’s Way, but he has not shone since. Spumante Dolce has shown class before, but is under a bit of a cloud having not enjoyed a good preparation. Anfields Rocket did win the Gr 1 SA Classic as a three-year-old but has a tough task at the weights.
In the Gr 2 Betway Dingaans Jan Van Goyen looks to be something special and is taken to win despite it being his first run of the season. Tin Pan Alley is unbeaten in two starts this season, so will have a fitness advantage and there is a bit of reversal in draw fortunes from when he was beaten three lengths over this trip at Hollywoodbets Greyville by Jan Van Goyen at the end of last season. He has also improved with gelding since then. Chronicle King, Trust and Shadowfax have class and could upset the applecart.
In the Gr 3 Ducat Africa Fillies Mile, Hazy Dazy is better than her last start and is taken to bounce back, while Littlemissmillion has impressed in both of her starts and being small she should be able to run well first up.
In the Gr 3 New Turf Carrier Merchants Truth is sticking to sprints now and could come into his own, so he is taken to beat Quantum Theory and Rodeo Drive.
The Listed Carry On Alice Stakes could go to the smart Whistle The Tune.
