Strydom to strike on Surcharge
SURCHARGE’S shocking luck with draws has continued into Saturday’s R2 million Grade 1 SA Classic over 1 800m but this should not stop him winning this second leg of the A Triple Crown. The Triple Crown will not be won this year as the two winners of the joint first legs, Tap O’ Noth and Monk’s Hood, are not present.
The latter won the Grade 2 Betting World Gauteng Guineas in sensational fashion and was chased home by Surcharge, who had to overcome a wide draw of 14, the same draw he has on Saturday.
Surcharge lacks gate speed and early pace, which makes the draw particularly problematic.
However, the Stuart Pettigrew-trained Gimmethegreenlight colt has a huge action and will relish this 200m step up in trip.
He also has a perfect racing temperament, being very relaxed, so can be switched on and off easily.
To cap it all he has a strong and resolute finish.
Strydom
Master jockey Piere Strydom will likely be looking to place him in midfield as it is difficult to make up a lot of ground against good horses.
Therefore, he is going to require some luck in running.
If he does get enough luck, he should confirm form with those he beat in the Gauteng Guineas.
The dark horse of the race is the Frank Robinsontrained KZN raider Roy Had Enough.
This horse has been transformed since the blinkers were removed.
They had initially been put on due his problems at the start, but had caused him to over race.
He is coming off two strong-finishing wins over 1 600m on the Greyville turf, including in the Listed Christmas Handicap.
Like Surcharge he has a big action and will enjoy the step up in trip.
The handicappers rate the pair equal on 110, but Roy Had Enough has a plum draw of five. In form Warren Kennedy takes over from Lyle Hewitson, who rides Throng for his main supporter, Sean Tarry.
Majestic Mambo
Another big runner is the Paul Peter-trained Majestic Mambo, who is unbeaten in three starts over this trip and won all of those races impressively, using a relaxed running style with an exceptional turn of foot.
In the Gauteng Guineas not only was the trip too sharp for him, but he appeared to hate the fast ground, so can make amends here on what should be much more forgiving ground.
As one who is dropped out, his draw of ten is of little concern.
Mike de Kock has five runners and three of them Royal Crusade, Noble Secret and Pietro Mascagni, third, fourth and sixth in the Gauteng Guineas, will relish the step up in trip.
Noble Secret is a big, rangy sort who will be improving all the time and from a good draw will be dangerous, whilst the other two are classy sorts and the best has not been seen of them yet.
One of his other runners Like A Panther has always looked to be a Derby type, but will enjoy this testing 1 800m and the long-straight.
His fifth contender Alshibaa looks held on form but has been finishing strongly over 1 600m so could earn a surprise place.
Greek Fire disappointed in the Gauteng Guineas but is better than that and has won over this course and distance.
The others would be surprise earners on form.