Snaith looking to conquer

Motor racing and horse racing may be poles apart as far as the participants are concerned but it will be a ‘Day of Thunder’ at Greyville tomorrow with probably the finest day’s thoroughbred racing on the national calendar.

Ironically the eLan Gold Cup has been steadily down-graded to it’s current status of Gr3 but that has not detracted from it’s status as the most prized staying race on the calendar and this year has attracted a high class field headed by Vodacom Durban July runner-up, Made To Conquer who heads the weights.

Made To Conquer picked up a six-point penalty for his July efforts and will carry top weight of 60kg while in contrast, Gold Vase winner It’s My Turn, possibly a little unlucky not to have cracked an invite to run in the VDJ, was given a twopoint relief by the handicappers after his convincing victory and is in receipt of 0.5kg.

It’s My Turn’s Gold Vase win over 3000m is proof that he stays the trip which is a big mark in his favour. Made To Conquer on the other hand is untried over the trip although he has smart staying form up to 2500m. Made To Conquer carried Jeff Lloyd to his best ever finish in the VDJ and the seasoned rider was of the opinion that his mount was a dower stayer and that the Gold Cup would be right up his alley. Two others that will have their supporters are last year’s winner Hermoso Mundo and Strathdon. Weiho Marwing is an astute trainer of stayers and Hermoso Mundo has only had four outings this term. After a failed crack at the Summer Cup, the gelding was rested for some six months and has put in two promising comeback runs. However, he has 3kg more to shoulder this year and arguably meets a much stronger field.

Strathdon

Strathdon ran an indifferent race in the July consolation behind Head Honcho but did jump from the widest draw.

Prior to that he ran Made To Conquer to a neck in the 2 400m Lonsdale Stirrup Cup, giving the winner 2kg. Grant van Niekerk earned a 10-day suspension for leaning on his rival for much of the way up the straight that day but there is a 4kg turn around in the weights and Strathdon should stay the extended trip which will make him many a punter’s first choice. Last year’s winner and runner-up in the Gr1 Champions Cup, Sail South and Captain America respectively will do battle again. Couple them with Rising Sun Gold Challenge winner, Undercover Agent, Investec Cape Derby winner Eyes Wide Open, Cape Guineas winner Tap O’ Noth, Perovskia, Crowd Pleaser and Heavenly Blue on the comeback trail, victory will be hard-earned. However, Derby winner Eyes Wide Open has had an easy build-up and caught the eye when rattling home in the Thukela Handicap on July day and looks primed for this event. The Gr1 Mercury Sprint has been moved from a standalone meeting to the Super Saturday undercard and again an Equus award could be on the line with some top sprinters in the lineup.

Victory for Pinnacle Peak, second in both the Gr1 Computaform Sprint and the Gr1 Tsogo Sun Sprint, could well earn national honours for Dorrie Sham’s gelding

With only two Grade One races each for Juvenile males and fillies, the Premier’s Champion Juvenile Stakes and the Thekwini Stakes for fillies are of premium importance.

Soqrat

Soqrat fought a titanic duel against stable companion Barahin in the finish of the Gr2 Golden Horseshoe on July day, touched off in a photo finish. He has the best of the draw and a win will be of paramount importance for Mike de Kock’s colt. De Kock saddles another Australian-bred in Alyaasaat and another one-two is on the cards.

The absence of Gr2 Golden Slipper winner Celtic Sea has detracted a little from the Thekwini Stakes line-up and with Gr1 Allan Robertson winner Mighty High also a non-starter the door is open, but just who will be first home it is anyone’s guess.