For Snaith it’s Gimme Six
THE Dennis Drier yard are expecting a big run from Sail in the Gr 3 Umzimkhulu Stakes over 1 400m at Greyville on Sunday.
However, the noises from the Paul Gadsby yard are not as bullish for their Gr 1 winner Gunner, who runs in the Gr 3 Byerley Turk Stakes over the same course and distance.
Stuart Ferrie, assistant to Drier reckoned the 1 400m trip was just about Sail’s optimum and said, “There are limited opportunities over this trip. She is fit and well and will be ready.”
Drier also runs the classy The High Life. However, Ferrie said, “It is a bit sharp for her, but we have to get her going somewhere.”
Ferrie concluded, “Sail is the right one.”
The last time Sail went this trip she beat the Gr 1 winner The Secret Is Out JUSTIN Snaith (pictured) believes the Gr 3 Byerley Turk looks a little less competitive than the Gr 3 Umzimkhulu Stakes at Greyville on Sunday, but on the other hand he said the filly Gimme Six would be more forward than the colt Copper Force.
Snaith said, “I had Jo’s Bond ready last Sunday, as it was her target (she won the Listed Kwazulu Natal Stakes).
“This is Gimme Six’s main target and she is properly ready. She has taken very well to KZN and has really been doing well at home. She has been at Summerveld for two weeks and put up a very impressive gallop here. I am happy with Copper Force, but I have left a little in the tank, so he may need it a little, he is at about 90%, but he is ready enough to run a nice race.
“There is a long season to go with him, by two lengths at Kenilworth, although she was receiving 3kg.
The classy Philanthropist filly subsequently finished a fine fourth from a wide draw in the Gr 1 WSB Cape Fillies Guineas and she was far from disgraced in both the Gr 1 Maine Chance Farms Paddock Stakes and Gr 1 Klawervlei Majorca Stakes over 1 800m and 1 600m respectively.
On Sunday she jumps from a plum draw of two and should go close.
The High Life has won her last two starts over 1 800m and 2 000m respectively at Kenilworth.and shouldn’t be ignored on Sunday running fresh as she has a fine turn of foot. but I expect a good run from a good draw. Gimme Six will need a bit of luck from the draw. If my horses don’t run into the money here they are in trouble for the season.
“None of my horses have seen Greyville, which is going to make it harder. I don’t know whether they will take to the track or not.”
He also runs Sir Frenchie in a Juvenile Plate over 1200m and Captain Splendid in a MR 93 Handicap over 1 800m.
He said, “Sir Frenchie is very well at home, we will see how he handles Greyville. Captain Splendid has taken well to Durban and is very well and looks amazing, but I think he might just be one run short.”
Gavin Lerena rides Captain Splendid and Anthony Delpech, who formed a lethal classic race combination with Snaith last SA Champions Season, rides the other three.
Paul Gadsby said the Gimmethegrenlight gelding Gunner had had a “few little problems” which the yard were now on top of. However, he added he would not be “100% wound up”.
He said the going had been a bit hard for Gunner down in Cape Town. He also pointed out his form had not stood up too well. Furthermore, from his wide draw he would have to be ridden “from off them” on Sunday.
However, Gadsby concluded, “He is not the biggest, but he is a genuine horse with a big heart and we have always thought a lot of him. Sunday’s run will show us where we are at with him.” Gunner showed a terrific turn of foot when winning the Gr 1 Premiers Champion Stakes over 1600m last season.
Gadsby expected a big run from On Your Life in the third race on Sunday and said his last run had been “all wrong”.