The very smart Justin Snaith-trained Erik The Red returns from a twelve week break at Kenilworth on Saturday where he is asked to carry just 52kgs as he takes on a mixed bunch of older horses in the Cape Thoroughbred Sales Gr2 Cape Merchants.
Snaith and his top rider Richard Fourie won this event in 2018 with the very well-performed Kasimir – coincidentally also a son of Captain Al – then a 4yo, and the top combination must fancy their chances again.
Erik The Red wins the Gr2 at his last start (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
Unbeaten in two starts over the course and distance, Erik The Red could carry too many guns for the rest after a commendable effort up at Hollywoodbets Greyville at the end of August when overcoming traffic issues and being reshod at the start, to win smartly.
Dennis Drier – looking to make it a sizzling Cape summer (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
Dennis Drier has made a nice start to his summer campaign and saddles Cartel Captain.
While without a victory under his belt this year, his 4yo last ran on the same day as Erik The Red, when finishing 3,50 lengths behind Spies globetrotter, Van Halen. He was only 1,7 lengths behind Saturday’s topweight Fabian there, and enjoys a 3,5kgs turnaround at the weights.
Candice Bass-Robinson and Aldo Domeyer won this race last year with Russet Air and with a run under the belt, it may be folly to write Fabian off on the basis of the mathematics of an effort around the right-handed Hollywoodbets Greyville turn.
The in-form Grant van Niekerk rides the second of the Snaith trio in the 4yo Rio Querari, who made a winning return after a ten week break when beating Jean’s Man at Durbanville. The son of Querari didn’t win up in the SA Champions Season, but strips fit and could be the surprise package.
It’s likely Erik The Red or bust for Pick 6 players!
