Mining key in Gold Cup
Herald Racing Editor
KINGSTON Mines looks set to win South Africa’s longest race when he contests the Port Elizabeth Gold Cup over 3 600m at Fairview tomorrow.
The Alan Greeff-trained runner skipped clear with Greg Cheyne in the saddle when they defeated Coltraine by 1,75 lengths over 3 200m in May. The Greeff stable is expecting further improvement and therefore Cheyne’s mount looks the horse to beat.
Kingston Mines, a six-yearold son of Archipenko, is a fivetime winner from 33 starts.
His danger looks to be Jeremy with Lyle Hewitson up as his last two runs were promising and there looks more to come from him.
In his last race he finished just 0,10 lengths behind Off To Gaul, while he was 1,85 lengths behind Grape Vine in his penultimate start.
But Kingston Mines and Jeremy cannot expect to have everything their way. Between them, old campaigners Crown Of Gold and Drill Sargeant have won the last four runnings of this race and therefore need to be respected. Crown Gold has raced three times in the Gold Cup – 2013, 2014 and 2016 – and won all of them. Drill Sargeant won in 2015. Both of them are eight years old.
Crown Of Gold has won 12 of his 52 starts with Drill Sargeant taking the honours 14 times in 58 outings. Age may have caught up to them, but trainer Tara Laing has not entered them for nothing.
Arezzo, Kissimmee, Lotus Elan, Megabucks and Shady World all have the ability to win this race. Arezzo finished just 2,25 lengths behind Kingston Mines last time and should get closer this time with Louis Mxothwa up.
Kissimee has also struck top form and must be a serious contender. Lotus Elan is also a very consistent sort and in with a big chance. Keep an eye on Megabucks, who chased Lotus Elan all the way in his last race on 9 June. On that occasion he led, but was caught late over 2 400m to lose by 0,25 lengths.
In the final analysis Kingston Mines gets the vote to lead home Jeremy, Kissimee and Arezzo. The meeting starts at 1305 with a Maiden Juvenile Plate for two-year-old fillies. An Air Of Success and Game Girl could be the top contenders, but watch for betting moves on several promising newcomers.