Crawford has a strong hand

BRETT Crawford has a strong hand in the Grade 1 Rising Sun Gold Challenge at Greyville on Saturday, with defending champion Captain America, Grade 1-winner Sail South and CTS Mile winner Undercover Agent. The evergreen Captain America has had an interrupted program. However, Crawford said, “He is fine. He had a little problem when arriving in Durban, which is why he has not run yet, but we have done the best we can to have him race fit. Ideally it would have been nice to have had a run but he looks well, his work has been good and he runs well fresh.”

Undercover Agent

Three-year-old Captain Al colt Undercover Agent won his SA Champions Season pipe opener in the Grade 3 Byerley Turk over 1400m at Greyville in impressive style and was then touched off as favourite against older horses in the Grade 2 Drill Hall Stakes.

Crawford said, “He is drawn well is in great form and I expect another honest run. He beat most of the opposition here in the Drill Hall so it will be interesting to see how he goes against them over a mile.”

Sail South

Sail South ran on strongly in this race last season for fourth and could well get the strong pace which suits him on Saturday.

Crawford said, “He needed his first run (fourth in the Drill Hall) and has come on a lot. He likes Greyville and likes the trip so has quite a lot in his favour. He will definitely be finishing the race well and you have got to say he has a chance.”

Runaway Gal

Crawford runs Runaway Gal in the Listed Devon Air Stakes over 1400m and said she had been doing well and would appreciate the step up in trip. Phelan Lucky brings some strong Cape Town form into the Cornubia/Phoenix Sun Durban Dash over 1100m and Crawford expected him to run well, although he does have a tough draw.