Rocketball has much in his favour
THE R2-million, Grade 1 Daily News 2000 at Greyville in Durban tomorrow has all the indications of a race that could go down as one of the best three-year-old clashes of the decade with at least half the field having shown, in one way or the other, they are capable of winning.
It takes centre stage of an incredible day that begins with an international competition in the air over the Greyville area before the public are brought back to earth with a race meeting featuring a host of the best young horses in the country in the Daily News 2000 and the R1-million, Grade 1 Woolavington 2000 where a number of the runners will be fighting for a place in the Vodacom Durban July in a month’s time.
These two Grade 1 races are the ultimate tests for three-year-olds and while the Justin Snaith-trained Dynasty filly Bela-Bela is undoubtedly the horse to beat in the Woolavington 2000, one could see the Daily News 2000 as something of a nightmare.
Coming from near last and being baulked and having to switch for a run, Bela-Bela flew through to win the Daisy Fillies Guineas three weeks ago and could take a lot of beating tomorrow.
Dangers
Her likely dangers are the Mike Bass-trained Silvano filly Nightingale that also had to be switched for a run in the Guineas and the Visionaire filly Heaps Of Fun from the Sean Tarry stable.
But the Daily News 2000 is a very tough race. The draws of some of the more likely contenders have not helped their chances and jockey skills are likely to play an important part in how the race pans out.
Had the Australian-bred colt Samurai Blade not been drawn widest in the 16-horse field, he would have been my outright selection on his excellent runs behind Abashiri in the SA Classic and SA Derby but I envisage a real scramble for position in the early stages.
However, having run such a good race in the SA Derby over 2 450m where he was at the back of the field early, one cannot ignore the possibility that he may sit back and go for broke from about the 1 200m mark. But the runner that has a lot in his favour is the son of Judpot from the Gavin van Zyl sta- ble, Rocketball. His run in the SA Derby was exceptional when taking on Abashiri in the home straight and nearly pulling off the upset of the decade.
Having been trounced by the Mike Azzie star in the two previous feature events, the 40-1 chance fought it out with the champion right to the line and only went down by about a neck.
Going back in his form to January, he hit the front in an 1 800m feature before being run down and beaten about three lengths by Abashiri so that last effort should not be seen as a flash in the pan.
Tomorrow he is drawn on the paint and Warren Kennedy will be able to place him where he likes before making his move and he will not be stopping when they approach the finish line.
Ten Gun Salute
A runner that did impress in the Canon Guineas was the Duncan Howells-trained colt Ten Gun Salute.
He ran on very well and will love the trip as he did when giving Great Rumpus a hiding over the course and distance in December.
Looking back to the SA Derby again, the Weiho Marwing-trained Western Winter gelding Stebbins ran an excellent race finished two lengths behind Abashiri after being cramped for running room at the 300m mark.
He has scored a win and two second from three starts over 2 000m and he could be right in the final scrap for honours tomorrow.
New Predator from the Johan Janse van Vuuren stable is another with a winning chance.
He led all the way when winning the Independent Of Saturday Drill Hall Stakes but having yet to race beyond a mile, there must be a question mark over his ability over a tough 2 000m trip. However, he cannot be discounted and is another one to include in the exotics.
Rabada from the Azzie yard is also in with a chance along with Investec Cape Derby winner It’s My Turn from the Snaith yard, the Dean Kannemeyer-trained Mambo Mime and Liege from the Tarry stable which makes the race for punters an absolute nightmare.
A brief look at the Grade 3 Lonsdale Stirrup Cup.
When you look at the qualifications of the runners, one might just as well throw all their names in the air, close your eyes a pick one.
I didn’t quite do that but my fancy is the Jet Master gelding Storm Warning from the Janse van Vuuren stable.