Champion jockey hopes for first Cup
Amazingly, reigning and multiple champion jockey Anthony Delpech has yet to win the Summer Cup, but looks to have as good a chance as any this year on Orchid Island, currently 11-2 favourite with Betting World.
“It’s only her second run back and she may be at her very best over 1600m to 1800m, but she should run well,” was how he summed up the Silvano filly’s chances.
The Wilgersbosdrift-owned filly won the 1800m SA Fillies Classic at Turffontein back in April before fading to fifth behind Wind Chill in the 2450m SA Oaks a month later.
She was later a close fourth in the 2000m Woolavington 2000 on the easy Greyville circuit, where Wind Chill was only just behind her after a slow start.
Delpech is retained jockey for Mary and Jessica Slack and has some other excellent mounts for them, including Witch Of The West in the Hi-Fi Corporation Fillies Mile. “She is definitely progressive, but it’s a very strong race,” was his guardedly optimistic message.
He feels similarly about the chances of Monks Hood in what appears a particularly strong Investec Dingaans. “He’s talented but has his work cut out to beat some of these,’’ was the verdict.
Among his mounts without a Slack connection Spring Wonder and Fortissima stand out.
Spring Wonder represents the currently red-hot Paul Peter yard and comes into the EFC Worldwide Magnolia Handicap in perhaps the form of her life. “She won a very good race last time, but it’s very competitive,’’ Delpech says of the joint 5-1 favourite.
Perhaps his clearest winning chance comes in Race 9, the last leg of the Pick 6. Fortissima (3310) won the Listed RA Handicap over 3200m by over four lengths last year and the Fort Wood mare may well give the boys a spanking again.
Delpech says: “She is a very good stayer and doesn’t meet the strongest field,’’ which on a day of highly competitive racing is a strong endorsement.