‘A Nother’ Classic performance
GIMME A NOTHER SET TO RACK UP A FIRST GRADE 1 VICTORY
Sandringham Summit hard to oppose in SA Classic.
Racing today takes place at Turffontein and this meeting is one of the highlights of the entire year as it includes three Grade 1 races, namely the TAB SA Classic, the Wilgerbosdrift SA Fillies Classic and the Wilgerbosdrift HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes.
There are also a number of other features on the 10-race card, and it promises to be a spectacular day once again.
I have had the privilege of winning each of these Grade 1s through the years and those moments will stay with me forever.
Last week saw the season’s finale at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth and we watched Green With Envy dominate the Cape Derby with an outstanding win for Craig Zackey, Dean Kannemeyer and Khaya Stables.
It was one of the most impressive wins by a three-year-old all season and he has thrown his hat into the ring in a big way for the upcoming KwaZulu-Natal season and specifically the Hollywoodbets Durban July.
Multiple Grade 1 winning filly Beach Bomb ran second, which will give the race substance, and that closed off a lovely season for her.
Of the other feature races on the day, I think Thunderstruck’s victory was outstanding, and it ended his incredible Cape Season off with a bang.
Well done to Sean Tarry on another really good raid as well as Mary Slack on the lovely win.
Double Grand Slam was really impressive in the Prix Du Cap and showed us what she is truly capable of, which was what we were expecting most of the season.
However, she ended off with a bang and straight away puts herself in line for a massive KZN season.
In my opinion, the horse to take out of the two-year-old races was my ride in the Nursery, Winds OF Change. He is a really lovely horse who gives me such a top feel.
His two runs in the Cape have been unreal, and he is going to get better with age and experience, and I’ll be very disappointed if he doesn’t win a feature race.
Last Sunday we saw One Fell Swoop win the Betway National Currency Stakes off bottom weight in a thrilling finish with my ride, Ziyasha.
I thought I had the race won but the filly dug deep to secure a really good victory.
Lucky Lad ran well on his comeback run after a long break and he will improve for the effort.
Now on to today’s card and Race 1 is a Maiden Plate for fillies and mares over 1600m and I think Cherry Oh Baby is going to take all the beating. She came out slowly on debut and then never got into the race early on. She will love the step up in trip and I’ll be disappointed if she doesn’t win.
Springer is very consistent and her winning turn can’t be far away. After another good second last time out she rates the main danger.
Happy Mo has some nice form and is expected to be in the money.
Race 2 is the Listed Storm Bird Stakes over 1000m and I ride Greaterix who is a lovely type and I’ll be hoping he is not too green and can run a positive race.
However, we all have Pistol Pete to beat. He has won his two starts in the most dominant way and looks a potential star.
Although he is giving weight away, I think he is capable of doing so and he sets the standard.
Of the other raced runners Fire Attack continues to improve and must have a chance while Address The Nation was somewhat disappointing last time out and needs to bounce back from that.
Watch the betting on all the unraced runners for the best guide to their chances.
Race 3 is the Listed Ruffian Stakes over 1000m and I ride African Beauty who is also a really nice type and if not too green, I hope she can be in the money.
Of the raced runners, we all have Almond Sea to beat. She has won each of her two starts by over five lengths and looks a really top-class filly who sets the standard.
Simply Majestic ran a good race last time after winning her maiden and rates the main danger.
It’s lovely to see Michael Miller coming up from KZN with three runners and Just Reckless, because of the jockeys bookings, looks the stable elect, so watch her closely.
Race 4 is a Maiden Plate (A) over 1160m and this is the start of the carryover Pick 6 with a likely pool of R5 million, so it’s important not to go out in the opening leg.
So Seductive ran a good race after a lengthy break and would have come on for that run and rates the filly to beat.
Stable companions Sacambaya and Quick Trip rate the main dangers, the latter returning up the straight over which she has produced her best form.
Secret Chord is very consistent and needs to be included in all bets.
Watch the betting on Winter In Africa, a very well-bred filly, because this will be your best guide to her chances.
Race 5 is the Listed Wilgerbosdrift Acacia Stakes over 1600m and I ride Lady Of Power who ran slightly below-par last time out after two good runs.
This is the course and distance over which she achieved her greatest success – in last year’s Gauteng Fillies Guineas – and on that I make her a definite runner, and one to include in all bets.
Silver Hills won a really good race last time out and on that she is the horse we all have to beat.
Bonete drops in trip and if that is what she’s looking for then she’ll be right there.
Juliet Tango was disappointing last time out but on her previous two runs is a definite runner so must be included in all bets.
Race 6 is the Grade 1 Wilgerbosdrift SA Fillies Classic over 1800m and my best bet on the card comes up in the form of unbeaten superstar Gimme A Nother.
On what she has achieved and the way she’s going about things, she could be one of the best fillies we have seen.
Her win in the first leg of the Wilgerbosdrift Triple Tiara was sensational and I believe she’ll be even better over the extra distance. She is a banker in all bets.
Silver Sanctuary ran a lovely race in defeat but it’s hard to see her turning it around, although I do believe she’ll run second.
Bavarian Beauty is a Grade 1 winner and returns to the Highveld where she has a phenomenal record and she should run into the money.
Champagne Cocktail will enjoy the step up in trip and is one to watch for the final leg of the Triple Tiara.
Race 7 is the Grade 1 TAB SA Classic and I ride Mondial who disappointed me in his last run, but he has since been gelded. I am hoping that can make a difference and he can run into the money.
We all have the champion Sandringham Summit to beat after his demolition job in the first leg of the Triple Crown.
The Equus Champion Two-Year-Old Colt was sensational, and on that performance will love the step up in trip and looks to be a banker in all bets.
William Iron Arm looks to be the main danger after a really good comeback run. He was the talking horse last time out and ran well enough to suggest he’ll run another very good race and be more competitive.
Barberesco was really impressive last time out and I expect him to be right there if the favourite fluffs his lines.
Purple Pitcher and Storm Brasco (blinkers added) are others who must be included to make up Trifecta and Quartet positions.
Race 8 is the Grade 1 Wilgerbosdrift HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes over 1600m and I ride Melech who won a really good race over the sprints last time out.
This is his acid test and I’m hoping he can be competitive.
We all have Princess Calla to beat. Last year’s Horse Of The Year finished off her Cape season with a phenomenal win in the Majorca Stakes and showed she is as good as ever.
Main Defender had excuses in his last start which was his prep for this run. I believe he’ll stay 1600m and rates the main danger.
Cape raiders At My Command, Cosmic Highway and Sugar Mountain all bring high-quality form into the race and all have to be respected.
Race 9 is the Grade 3 JJ The Jet Plane Stakes over 1000m and I ride Iphiko who won a really good race last time out. Although this is much tougher, a repeat of that will see her finish right there.
Grade 1 winner and outstanding sprinter Dyce is the horse we all have to beat. His last win in the Grade 1 Cape Flying Championship sets the standard and Thunderstruck franked the form in his next start.
William Robertson is a high-quality horse. He is a definite danger and must be included in all bets.
Rulership has been unbeaten since arriving on the Highveld and also needs to be included in all bets.
These horses should get you through all the exotics.
Race 10 is a Maiden Plate (A) over 1600m and I ride Erimitage who returns from a rest. He has been gelded and if not in need of the run has a definite place chance.
However, my value bet comes up in the form of Blue Quartz who gave me a nice feel last time and she’ll love the step up in trip.
Off draw No 2 and with the apprentice allowance she gets off her back, I think she’ll be hard to beat.
Rossora Finale ran a really good race last time out and rates the definite danger.
Judgement Day improved drastically with blinkers and rates a serious runner.
Al Akhtaar ran well on debut and if he is ready after a rest, he’ll be right there.
BEST BET
Race 6 No 1 Gimme A Nother
VALUE BET
Race 10 No 15 Blue Quartz
PICK 6
R880
Leg 1: 1, 2, 8, 9
Leg 2: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 Leg 3: 1
Leg 4: 1
Leg 5: 1, 2, 3, 13, 14
Leg 6: 1, 2, 6, 12