Do or die for Safe Passsage
PLAN B. That is the only logical explanation for Safe Passage’s participation in a Pinnacle Stakes over 1 600m at Turffontein today.
This four-year-old son of Silvano trained by Mike de Kock was expected to be one of the stars of the KwaZuluNatal Champions Season this term and has already been entered and accepted to contest the Hollywoodbets Durban July, where he should be one of the highest rated runners.
As a three-year-old last season, he won both the Grade 2 Dingaans and Grade 2 Gauteng Guineas at Turffontein, and followed up with a second place in the Grade 1 SA Classic over 1 800m. He also won the Grade 1 Daily News over 2 000m at Greyville, following up with a third place in last year’s renewal of the July, the premier race on the South African calendar.
Safe Passage kicked off his four-year-old campaign in grand style, running third in the Grade 2 Charity Mile on his home ground. In the
Grade 1 Summer Cup he was narrowly beaten into second by Puerto Manzano.
Then a six-month hiatus followed.
Safe Passage reappeared on the track less than two weeks ago, lining up in the Grade 2 Independent On Saturday Drill Hall Stakes over 1 400m at Greyville.
But that run was a disaster, to put it mildly.
Jumping awkwardly from gate 6, he looked like a pinball, with Silvano’s Dasher and Bingwa the flippers as they bounced him around. Jockey Richard Fourie had no option but to settle him as the backmarker. But that’s where he stayed – all the way to the line - finishing almost 15 lengths behind the winner, Trip Of Fortune.
Whether the 161-day break was his undoing is uncertain, but all eyes will be on Safe Passage today to see how he bounces back from that nightmare.
A good run could well see him return to Durban again, but another poor show could put an end to his July dream for now.
The fact that De Kock has decided to bring him “home” for a run suggests that the trainer wants to give him the opportunity to restore his confidence in a safe and familiar space.
But he faces a number of formidable foes, especially three-year-old Eye Of The Prophet, winner of this year’s edition of the Gauteng Guineas.
A 1 600m specialist, Paul Matchett’s charge can prove that the 20-point merit rating rise after his Guineas success is warranted. Eye Of The Prophet is most definitely a potential Grade 1 winner and could well be using this run as a prep for a crack at the lucrative Grade 1 Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge at Greyville on 10 June.
Stuart Pettigrew’s fouryear-old Whafeef could also stake a claim. He looks a different class after gelding and could go in again under a light weight. The six-point penalty for his victory last time out in a Middle Stakes shouldn’t stop him as he seems to have a lot more to offer.