Tarry runs rule over big-race candidates

Trainer Sean Tarry is cautiously optimistic about the chances of his three runners in Saturday’s GBets Gauteng Summer Cup to be run over 2000m at Turffontein on Saturday.

Unsurprisingly, he rates Tilbury Fort (11-2 in the latest betting) the best of the trio, saying the five-year-old has a “definite chance” of taking top honours in the Grade 1 R2-million event.

“I was very impressed with his run in the Charity Mile (on 3 November),” said the Randjesfontein ace. “He has really improved with gelding.”

Tilbury Fort was a talented youngster but reached a plateau as a four-year-old, with just two wins on his record. After the unkindest cut, eight months ago, he has run five times for two victories and two seconds.

His only unplaced effort since the op was in the Vodacom Durban July, when he came from last at the 400m to finish in midfield.

Of last-year’s Summer Cup winner, Liege (33-1), Tarry comments: “He has a handy weight for a Grade 1 winner; he carries 53kg, the same as last year. He is doing well, has had a good prep and has an Eachway chance.”

Also in with an Eachway chance is Social Order (25-1), says his handler. “He has had a good prep and the last time he went 2000m he was beaten 1.75 lengths by Coral Fever at levels.”