Pudding best hoof forward
CONTENDERS: SUMMER PUDDING, PACK LEADER STAND OUT AS THE TWO TO BEAT Yeni’s ride War Of Athena in Race 8 is his best bet on the card.
It is hard to believe the World Sports Betting Gauteng Summer Cup is upon us. Without a doubt, this is one of the major days in our racing year and one must say thank you to all the sponsors on the day, especially WSB in helping increase the stake money for these feature races.
This is one race I would dearly love to win and I will be doing my best.
All the other feature races make for one of the most exciting days of racing and I am really looking forward to it.
If you followed the column last week, you would have had success with Value Bet Gee For Go. As mentioned, she gave me an outstanding feel when I rode her and I hope it helped to make the day profitable.
Race 7 is the Summer Cup over 2000 mon the Stand side track and what a race it has turned out to be thanks to the inclusion of Horse Of The Year Summer Pudding.
This is the first time she will be taking on the boys and it’s going to be a tough hurdle for her to overcome, considering she is giving weight to most of the runners. But she is of the highest quality and still remains the horse to beat.
Pack Leader is going into this run fit, well and full of confidence so he is definitely a huge runner off a light weight. He is the danger and will be right there at the finish.
Mr Tarry has won this race for the last three years and all five of his runners must be respected. But I really like the prep of Tree Tumbo and Cornish Pomodoro. Both of these horses will be cherry ripe and must be included in all bets.
You cant hurry love is also a fit horse going into this race and will really appreciate the step up in trip, so he is also one to add into all bets.
My ride, Running Brave, is as tough as they come and I was very happy with her work this week. So, all things being equal, I am hoping for another honest effort. I’ll be very happy if we can make the
frame.
Race 1 is a Maiden Plate for fillies and mares. Trattoria and Roha definitely are the pick of the raced runners. The latter is my selection after a decent debut run where she showed good pace and just tired the last bit. With further improvement she should be right there.
Watch the betting for any movement on well-bred Miracle And Wonder.
Race 2 is the equivalent for the colts and I think this is a race in three between my selection Godswood, Battle Force and Bartholdi.
Godswood has been gelded and that should make the difference in getting him into the winner’s box. Bartholdi and Battle Force come out of the same form line so there shouldn’t be much between them.
Play around these horses and you should get through all bets.
I make Race 3 between three runners as well – my selection Chariot Master, Castle Corner and Dawn Of A New Era.
Chariot Master ran on extremely well on debut and this trip will definitely suit. He is drawn well and everything points to him running a massive race.
Ever-consistent but slightly disappointing Castle Corner should be competitive again and Dawn Of A New Era will enjoy the step up in trip and could be the value in the race.
My ride, Purple Warrior, will need to improve to be competitive.
Race 4, the WSB Magnolia Handicap, kicks off the feature-race bonanza
and my value bet on the card comes up in the form of Ecstatic Green.
This is a very good filly and as I’ve eluded to on many occasions, I feel the three-year-olds are very good. This filly has a light weight and has superb form over this distance.
She will take all the beating. Winter Smoke and Keep The Lights On must be respected as her immediate dangers and consider Gallic Princess a threat from the older brigade.
My ride, Che Bella, ran a better race last time but would still have to improve to feature.
Race 5 is the New Turf Carriers Merchants and this is as open as it gets so I would suggest adding in as many horses as the budget will allow.
My shortlist consists of Eden Rock, who has come to form of late and is producing some of his brilliance he showed as a two year old, Zouaves, who drops in trip and has the blinkers added, and Bohica, who has been ultra-impressive in his last three starts and will take all the beating if at peak fitness.
Others to consider could be Bold Ransom, Mr Flood and Invidia.
My ride, Donderweer, will have to improve to feature.
Race 6 is the WSB Dingaans and what a fantastic race this is. Generally, any horse who wins this race goes on to bigger and better things.
Mount Pleasant is miles ahead of anything on official ratings and if that is to be believed we are all running for second. He has been very impressive in all his starts and is definitely the horse to beat and maintain his unbeaten record.
My ride, Winter Stories, is a lovely horse and I really feel he will enjoy this 1600m, so I make him the immediate danger.
Fire And Ice and MK’s Pride are others to consider in wider bets.
Race 8 is the WSB Ipi Tombe Challenge and brings up my best bet on the card, my ride War Of Athena.
She is no doubt one of the stars of her generation and will definitely enjoy this 1600m at Turffontein. Off a light weight of 51kg she will take all the beating.
Queen Supreme is a high-quality mare and will definitely be a massive danger.
Group 1 winner Sentbydestiny is another to consider, and if close to peak fitness must be added into wider bets.
Race 9 is the WSB Racing Association Handicap over 3200m and I really like the look of my ride, African Adventure.
He gave me the feeling he will love the step up in trip and off a good draw I believe he will be hard to beat.
Imperial Ruby is my main danger after a very good run in the Victory Moon Stakes two weeks ago.
I really feel these two horses will get you through all bets.
Race 10 brings a close to a fantastic day’s racing and I make it a race in three between my first selection Against The Grain, who ran a cracker last time off a bad draw, my ride Golden Pheasant and Whorly Whorly.
Against The Grain will enjoy the extra 400m and the Standside track.
These horses are in top form and good runs are expected from all of them. Captain Of Tortuga is another to consider if you want to go wider.
BEST BET
Race 8 No 9 War Of Athena VALUE BET
Race 4 No 13 Ecstatic Green
PICK 6
R320
Leg 1: 13
Leg 2: Field
Leg 3: 1, 5
Leg 4: 3, 10, 14, 16, 19 Leg 5: 9
Leg 6: 3, 8