Sage is optimistic
TRAINER Robbie Sage is optimistic Vacquero can feature in the money when he lines up in the R1-million Gauteng Guineas (Grade 2) over 1 600m at Turffontein on Saturday, despite running against stronger and jumping from a wide No 10 draw.
“A draw is a draw. If you have to run, you have to run – there is no use in complaining about a draw. Vacquero will compete on Saturday,” said Sage confidently.
He believes Vacquero is better than his recent 12th-place finish in the CTS 1 600m (Non-Black Type) at Kenilworth on Sun Met Day. “He was trying the left hand turn for the first time, plus the track didn’t suit him well. He’ll do a lot better now that he is home,” he said.
Sage hopes Vacquero is his Triple Crown horse, but is hesitant because he is of the impression that the gelding is a better horse over 1 800m and further. So it could pay to follow him in the next two legs.
Five-year-old gelding Coral Fever will be going for a Graded victory when he runs in the Hawaii Stakes (Grade 2) over 1 400m.
That is, if he can repeat his Sansui Summer Cup performance when producing a flying finish to get third place.
Betting World’s betting:
Gauteng Guineas: 22-10 Majestic Mambo; 4-1 Surcharge; 6-1 Monks Hood; 13-2 Greek Fire; 8-1 Royal Crusade; 14-1 Ideal Secret, Noble Secret, Big Bear; 16-1 Wonderwall; 20-1 Vacquero, Puget Sound; 25-1 Cash Time; 40-1 Pietro Mascagni, Silver God; 50-1 State Trooper; 66-1 Alssakhra.
Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng
Fillies Guineas: 5-2 Folk Dance, Fish River; 11-2 Radiant Splendour; 8-1 Silver Thursday; 10-1 Cashel Palace; 12-1 Awfaa; 14-1 Aurelia Cotta, Takingthepeace; 16-1 Dame Kelly; 20-1 Green Top, Pale Lilac; 25-1 Rockin Russian, Pearl Of Bahrain.