Sky pulled out of Cup
DUAL ENTRY: IT’S MY TURN IN BOTH GOLD CUP AND CHAMPIONS CUP
There are four scratchings from Gold Cup.
African Night Sky, who started favourite for the Vodacom Durban July, has been withdrawn from the Grade 1 World Sports Betting Champions Cup over 1800m at Greyville on Saturday 28 July.
While this son of Dynasty looked well handicapped to win the Durban July, he was only the fifth-best weighted runner in the Champions Cup.
The best weighted pair are Brett Crawford-trained Captain America and last year’s winner Sail South with Gold Standard and Bulleting Home the third and fourth highest rated runners.
There have also been four scratchings from the Grade 3 eLan Gold Cup over 3200m – Cool Chardonnay, Plano, Haddington and Eastern Pearl.
Top weight for this event is Durban July runner-up Made To Conquer.
He will carry 7kg more than in the Durban July.
It’s My Turn, who carried 60kg to victory in the Grade 2 Gold Vase over 3000m on July Day, will now carry 0.5kg less.
The Premiers Champion Stakes is a Grade 1 race for two-year-olds and here all of Basilius, Euphoric, Green Haze and Holy Land have been pulled out.
On The Double is the lone withdrawal at this point for the Grade 1 Thekwini Stakes for two-year-old fillies.
The scratching of African Night Sky from the Champions Cup sees Undercover Agent still at the top of bookmakers’ boards although he has shortened a point or two into 4-1.
Surcharge, who is a surprise entry considering trainer Stuart Pettigrew said after his charge won the Grade 1 Daily News 2000 that he would be rested until the summer, is next best at 9-2.
Trainer Glen Kotzen has had his eye on this race for Investec Cape Derby winner Eyes Wide Open for quite a while and he is third favourite at 7-1.
It’s My Turn has been nominated for this event for which he is quoted at 18-1 but is more likely to take his pace in the Gold Cup where he is the 33-10 favourite.
The final fields for these races will be announced tomorrow.
Current Betting: eLan Gold Cup: 33-10 It's My Turn; 11-2 Made To Conquer; 15-2 Hermoso Mundo; 8-1 Strathdon; 16-1 Witchcraft; 18-1 One Man Show, Flichity By Farr, One Direction, Masters Eye, Crowd Pleaser, Dark Moon Rising, Let It Rain, Pagoda; 33-1 and upwards others.
World Sports Betting Champions Cup: 4-1 Undercover Agent; 9-2 Surcharge; 7-1 Eyes Wide Open; 9-1 Tap O’ Noth; 12-1 Captain America, Sail South, Crowd Pleaser; 14-1 Elusive Silva, Rocket Countdown, Pack Leader; 18-1 and upwards others.
Mercury Sprint: 33-10 Bold Respect; 15-2 Sniper Shot, Pinnacle Peak; 17-2 Sunset Eyes, Trip To Heaven; 10-1 Dutch Philip; 14-1 Rocky Valley; 16-1 Champagne Haze; 18-1 London Call, Always In Charge, Copper Force, Black Cat Back, Speedpoint; 22-1 and upwards others.
Premiers Champion Stakes: 22-10 Soqrat, 33-10 Barahin; 8-1 Cirillo; 12-1 Bold Eagle; 16-1 Mr Bombastic; 18-1 Sulka; 22-1 Play Another Tune, Marchingontogether; 28-1 and upwards others.
Thekwini Stakes: 2-1 Celtic Sea; 7-1 Dagmar; 8-1 Mazari, Return Flight; 12-1 Perfect Tigress, Running Brave, Railtrip; 13-1 Storm Destiny; 14-1 Long Pond; 25-1 and upwards others.