Soqrat a likely Pick 6 banker
THE Grade 1 Premier's Champions Stakes over 1600m represents a chance for a banker in the Pick 6 at Saturday's big Gold Cup meeting as it all points to Soqrat.
The Australian-bred colt has a big reputation and ran on well for a narrow second in a strong Grade 1 Golden Horseshoe field over 1 400m.
He is now drawn in pole and is odds on favourite in the ante-post market.
On the close up pedigree there must be a stamina doubt as his sire Epaulette won two Group 1s and a Group 3 over 1 400m and his dam by Hussonet was kept to sprints and won one over 1 000m and one over 1 200m.
However, Epaulette did finish third in a Group 1 in his only attempt at a mile and Soqrat’s dam is a three-quarters sister to a Group 2 winner over 1 500m.
Soqrat certainly ran all the way to the line in the Golden Horseshoe and has a nice length of stride and also appears to have a good temperament.
Stablemate Alyaasaat is of the progressive sort Mike de Kock excels with and having thrashed a field of moderate older maidens last time he will enjoy this step up in trip, but does have a tricky draw.
Cirillo
Cirillo showed a good turn of foot at Turffontein Standside over 1 400m on July day and won comfortably.
His dam was a maiden by sprinter Lake Conistion, but his sire, the July winner Pomodoro, should provide him with the necessary stamina.
He relaxes well in the running but his draw of ten is tricky.
Twist Of Fate, an impressive specimen by Master Of My Fate, showed a fine turn of foot in the Somerset Stakes over 1 200m at Kenilworth in early May.
He did the same in the Grade 1 Tsogo Sun Gold Medallion at Scottsville but his effort then petered out and he was not persevered with.
His dam by Counteraction won a Listed race over this trip so he should stay and he has a nice middle draw of seven.
Crown Guardian also showed a good turn of foot from behind in the Somerset but was beaten 3,2 lengths by Twist Of Fate, despite receiving 2kg.
However, he then stayed on well in the Golden Horseshoe after being held up from a wide draw and, finishing fourth, was only four lengths behind Soqrat.
He now has a good draw of five and this Gimmethegreenlight colt will enjoy the step up in trip.
Master Thief by Just As Well won his maiden well from the front over this trip at Scottsville and with Strydom up from a draw of six can’t be discounted as that was a fair field he beat and the time was good.
Confessional plugged on gamely in the Golden Horeshoe but was beaten eight lengths by Soqrat and four lengths by Crown Guardian.
Bold Eagle needed his last run over 1 400m when beaten 5,9 lengths by Cirillo over 1 400m.
He was giving the latter 4kg and on pedigree will relish this step up in trip. However, he has a tough draw to overcome and Cirillo did win that last race with ease.
Checkpoint Charlie by Brave Tin Soldier is an impressive specimen and won very well over 1 400m on the poly.
He showed speed that day, not surprisingly as he is out of a Grade 3-winning sprinter by Muhtafal.
However, he is a half-brother to a horse who won twice over this trip so he could go to the front from a wide draw and is one of the dark horses.
Cyber Special
Cyber Special was beaten 4,2 lengths by Soqrat over 1 400m last time.
He has a tough task here as Soqrat toyed with them that day.
Play Another Tune and Ovation Award have tough tasks on formlines, considering how easily the subsequent Golden Horseshoe winner Barahin won the Gatecrasher Stakes.
Whitehaven wore down the opposition to win over 1 200m last time and should stay the trip.
On 1 200m form he is alongside Alyaasaat but the latter looks to have more scope for improvement. The more one looks at this race the more Soqrat stands out as top class and he is going to be hard to beat. Cirillo, Crown Guardian and Alyaasaat should be thereabouts and the dark horse is Checkpoint Charlie.