Seventh Plain bids to get back on track for the CTS Million Dollar in the Fairview Wine Sophomore Sprint at Kenilworth on Saturday – and the indications are that he will probably do so.
The Dennis Drier dual Grade 1 winner started hot favourite for the Lanzerac Ready To Run but failed to find anything when push came to shove and was beaten nearly six lengths into fourth.
“Fitnesswise he wasn’t where we thought he was despite all our best intentions,” recalls racing manager Derek Brugman. “But he is now pretty close to where he needs to be.”
Seventh Plain (Nkosi Hlophe)
Moving this race from its traditional September slot has proved to be an inspired move. There might only be nine runners – even so only once in the last six years has the field been bigger – but there is no shortage of quality and, with all but Psycho Syd eligible for the Million Dollar, the race has significance aplenty.
The penalty structure, too, could hardly have worked better had the race been a handicap. When you adjust the merit ratings for the weights the top three are separated by less than half a length with the Puller pair the same margin further back.
Anton Marcus brought out the most of Tar Heel’s sprinting ability last time and, while the extra furlong may not play to the horse’s strengths, he represents a live threat. “A big runner and the main danger to Seventh Plain,” is Brugman’s assessment. “On pure class Seventh Plain is the better but Tar Heel will have a big chance if he sees out the trip and it wouldn’t surprise me if he won.”
Ernie went up nine points for his last win and, if the handicappers are right to hike him that much, he also comes into the picture. “He’s got a chance – definitely,” says Candice Robinson who adds that this 1 200m to 1 400m is the gelding’s best distance.
Illuminator drops back in trip after the last 200m proved too much for him in the Cape Guineas. “He needs to be cut because he haemo-concentrates quite badly,” Glen Puller explains. “He kicks on well but in the final furlong his muscles start aching and that’s what happened in the Guineas.”
Puller adds that Western Storm needed the run when performing below his best last time but fears that the gelding “might need it this time too.”
Forward Drive relishes this trip and, although his Million Dollar ticket is already booked, he has a bit to find here, particularly as he will effectively be carrying 2.5kg overweight because his rider can’t claim.
Psycho Syd is also a couple of kilos adrift but it’s worth remembering that he had it won a long way out when making all for his maiden win.
Winter Prince has won his last three but all over 1 400m. “He is quite a speedy horse,” says Brett Crawford, explaining that he doesn’t see the shorter trip as a problem. “The idea is to qualify him for the Million Dollar. He is only rated 86 and I think you need to be about 92 to get into the race. If he can run close to some of the high-rated horses he is going to get a penalty.”
By Michael Clower
