Woodruff enters 11 for the Summer Cup
OVER the past few years Geoff Woodruff has made the Sansui Summer Cup his own. Master Sabina won the race in 2015 and 2016 while Louis The King took top honours in 2014. Just a year earlier it was Yorker who claimed the title so when the nominations were announced for this year’s race to be run over 2 000m at Turffontein on Saturday, November 25, one went straight to the Woodruff entries.
So far his horses count for 11 of the 63 nominated for this R2-million Grade 1 race with stalwarts Deo Juvente, Killua Castle and Master Switch making up the older contingent. However, Woodruff has also bolstered his stock and has included Banner Hill, Go Direct, Gone Baby Gone, Whosethebossnow, Pagoda, Starpath, Starrett City and Zouaves making up the balance of his runners.
One entry who caught the eye was four-year-old Pagoda, winner of the Derby Trial (Listed) over this course and distance and runner-up behind Al Sahem in the Grade 1 SA Derby. He is lightly raced but loves the track and has proven his class.
However, this year there are a number of serious entries from the Mike de Kock yard, headed up by four very talented fillies – Nother Russia, Orchid Island, unbeaten Cascapedia and Smokey Affair. De Kock has also nominated his two runners recently received from the Western Cape – Elevated and Kilrain.
One can never write off champion trainer Sean Tarry who has entered 12 runners, including French Navy who many consider an unlucky loser two years ago.
Mike Azzie has four entries and topping them all is Abashiri, who we have not seen in action for almost a year.
Master Sabina is also among the entries and he will be trying for a third successive win but this time he is with Joe Soma, who has won this race with Wagner and has four entries. Among them is top filly Fortissima, another who loves this track.
Weiho Marwing has nominated Gold Cup winner Hermoso Mundo who has not been beaten since joining the stable.
Second entries close at 1100 on Monday, October 30, after which the weights will be announced.
Final entries close at 1100 on Monday, November 13, with declarations the following day, also by 1100
The final field will be announced on Tuesday, November 14, and the draws made the next day. -