Killua Castle looks well in and ready to atone for his Summer Cup defeat
Trainer Geoff Woodruff holds a powerful three card hand in Sunday’s R250 000 Gr3 London News Stakes run over 1800m on the Turffontein inside track. We are bypassing Rake’s Chestnut in favour of his Sansui Summer Cup runner-up Killua Castle, who looks very nicely in – if he maintains his form.
History shows that trainer Alec Laird was the man behind the wonderful story of the legendary racehorse after whom this race is named and whose stunning performance at Sha Tin signalled South African racing’s return to the international stage 17 years ago.
It was the son of Bush Telegraph’s great win in the 1997 Queen Elizabeth II Cup in Hong Kong , when he smashed the 2000m track record at Sha Tin, that turned the tide and made the world sit up and take note.
London News won eleven races including five Grade 1’s and most notably the 1996 Durban July and the 1997 Queen’s Plate and J & B Met. London News sadly died in 2009 at the age of 17 from cancer.
Laird Duo
Alec Laird saddles a nice coupling of Bouclette Top and Earl Of Derby, but it is the Woodruff trio that are preferred.
The Australian-bred Killua Castle was a desperately unlucky loser of the Summer Cup, when caught in the last two strides by Piere Strydom and Louis The King.
On the conditions here, he looks well in.
5 year-olds and older carry 55 kg, while 4 year-olds carry 54,5 kg. Penalties on the basis of 2,5 kg for each Gr1 win, 1,5 kg for each Gr2 win, 1kg for each Gr3 win and a half kilo for each Listed win.
Summer Cup
Akash Aucharuz – needs to make good for the Summer Cup defeat on Killua Castle
On the Summer Cup form, Killua Castle has the likes of Judicial, Earl Of Derby, Bouclette Top and Rake’s Chestnut held and all he needs to do is produce a similar effort.
But therein lies the rub.
The son of Churchill Downs has been tried over a variety of surfaces and distances and the blinkers may well have done the trick.
His talented stablemate Sabadell enjoys the services of Piere Strydom and goes for a hat-trick of wins.
He failed at his previous attempts at ground in the Sea Cottage Stakes and SA Derby, but seems a better horse as a 5yo.
Gallant
Eurakilon – consistent and will enjoy the 1800m
Ormond Ferraris’ Eurakilon was beaten just under two lengths last time out by Sabadell but beat him the run prior to that and looks a better proposition over the 1800m.
The gallant Heart Of A Lion ran on steadily to be beaten 2,25 lengths by S’il Vous Plait over 2450m and may prove a better horse over the 1800m.
Although well held on his Summer Cup run, Rake’s Chestnut improved into the places last time when beaten 0,75 lengths by the promising French Navy, who ran a great third behind Unparalleled in the Gr2 Dingaans.
It is worth noting that this friend of the bookmakers has only won once and that was more than a year ago.
Mike Bass’ costly Jet Master gelding Mountain Master has it all to do off his official rating of 86, but must be considered for the places on his best form.
Fair Thing
On his best form and off his MR of 109, Killua Castle must be a fair thing to pick up a long overdue fifth win.
He is selected to beat Sabadell, with Eurakilon a likely runner on into third.
