Go big and strong with ‘Bear’

THE R2,5 million Emperor’s Palace Ready To Run Cup is the first of the big sales races this season and it is fitting that Summerhill Stud, who brought this popular concept to South Africa, have a strong hand in Saturday’s race over 1 400m on the Turffontein Standside track.

Await The Dawn’s untimely passing after siring just two crops was a big loss and this is illustrated by the Summerhillbred R240,000 purchase Big Bear as well as the Summerhill-bred filly Tammany Hall, who are both in Saturday’s race.

Big Bear has won two of three starts and had the field spread out like the washing over 1 450m on the Inside track last time out in a Novice Handicap, although he was carrying bottom weight.

Await The Dawn

Await The Dawn won a Group 1 over a mile-and-a-half and Big Bear is big and strong and a resolute galloper, so will not only be constantly improving, but will relish the Standside track with its long straight.

Tammany Hall has also won two out of three and kept on gamely last time to beat older horses in a handicap over 1 450m off a merit rating of 85.

She has a plum draw and has a chance over a likely ideal course and distance.

First reserve runner Ekuseni is also by Await The Dawn and is also a galloping type.

The former Summerhill-based sire Visionaire has a chance with the promising filly Takingthepeace, a R280,000 Summerhill-bred purchase. Takingthepeace showed a fine turn of foot last time out to win a MR68 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1 000m by a comfortable 2,4 lengths off an 83 merit rating.

Her dam finished third in the Grade 1 Empress Club Stakes over 1 600m, so Takingthepeace should comfortably get this 1 400m trip.

Delpech

Anthony Delpech might drop her out from a draw of eleven.

Brave Tin Soldier produced a runner up in this race two years ago in Rabada and has Riding Shotgun in Saturday’s event. This horse is the favourite to be pacemaker as he has fine form from 1 000-1 400m when allowed to lead.

However, from a wide draw of 14 it is going to be tough for this R80,000 purchase.

Grade 1 winner Brave Mary, a daughter of Brave Tin Soldier, was born at Summerhill.

She is an unknown factor over this trip, although her draw of four will allow her to use her plentiful speed to her advantage.

The Summerhill-breds will likely be looking at Wonderwall, Purple Diamond and Surcharge as the horses to beat.