It’s payback time for Savea
FORMER Gr 1 Premiers Champion Stakes winner, Gunner has come well since a reduction in his merit rating, winning his last two and goes for a hattrick in the Soccer 6 Handicap on the Greyville poly track today.
He got a five-point raise for his most recent victory but Paul Gadsby has replaced non-claiming apprentice Eric Ngwane with 2.5kg claimer Khanya Sakayi so in theory Gunner races off the same mark as his recent victory.
Gadsby has also dropped the gelding in class and although at the top of the handicap he looks decidedly well weighted and can go in again.
Apprentice Jabu Jacobs is battling for his first win and came within an ace of a maiden victory when Winter’s Coming was touched off by stable companion Q The Music over course and distance. That was a smart effort by Andre Nel’s runner and from a plum draw, Jacobs and Winter’s Coming can give Gunner a tough race.
Dean Kannemeyer’s stable is starting to turn the corner and The Sultan’s Bazaar is unbeaten in two starts on the poly. He does take a big jump in class here but with only 53kg to shoulder he is in line to keep his poly record intact. In the first leg of the PA, Savea, a costly failure recently when sent out a short-priced favourite, can make amends and is a possible PA banker. Supported in to even money, Savea played up behind the gate and once loaded, showed pace before fading tamely behind outsider Big King. Post-race he was reported to be hanging out and making a respiratory noise but even given the excuses, Savea can recoup some of his supporter’s losses. Lightly raced, his form has been much improved since being gelded and from another good draw he should at least be concerned in the finish.
Edge Of The Sun
The danger could be Edge Of The Sun who was way out of his depth in a sixhorse Progress Plate, where he finished a dozen lengths off winner Red Chestnut Road and stable companion Dawn Calling. Back in more suitable company he looks a likely threat to Savea.
Duncan Howells will have been way better than 10th on the current National trainer’s log had he been able to convert all his second places – 21 so far for the current season - to go with his 12 wins. Queen’s Plain, who runs in the first leg of the Pick 6, was another statistic when she finished runnerup, beaten the width of a piece of paper in open company last time out, and Howells will be hoping she can break a frustrating run of form. It won’t be easy in a competitive field where Sheik’s Storm and Mitra Music look pick of the balance.
Sheik’s Storm
Sheik’s Storm has been knocking at the door for some time now and with a 2.5kg claimer aboard this time around, that relief from the saddle could be enough to see her home. Mitra Music was a touch disappointing last outing but the stable has hit form and one can expect a better showing.
Frank Robinson has a knack of keeping older horses on the boil and his patience can pay off when nine-year-old Great Rumpus lines up in the first leg of the jackpot. He takes a five-point drop in the ratings and also a drop in class.
Older horses also seem to find their best form on the poly track so Great Rumpus who steps out for the 64th time in his career, looks to have a lot going for him.
Biggest threat could come from Mark Dixon’s runner Two Stroke who has not been too far back in some useful company of late.
He has yet to run a bad race and should feature in a field of this calibre.
The sixth is a wide open fillies handicap where there are plenty of runners in with chances. However, when in doubt, go for the top weight and Karatage and Miziara could fit the bill.
Anton Marcus stays with Karatage which is generally a good sign while 4kg claimer Xola Jacobs will be hunting his first win on the Howells-trained Miziara.
The final leg of the Pick 6 could rest between Sigismund and Paddingtons Luck. In his first run back after gelding, Sigismund found one too good for him in a sprint.
Alistair Gordon’s runner should do better over this trip and is likely to start favourite again. Paddingtons Luck also found one too good for him last time out but obviously more was expected of him as he drops back to a mile and first-time blinkers. The pair are drawn alongside each other so it could be a case of cat and mouse from the jump.