With less than 48 hours to go to the announcement of the final field for the inaugural CTS Million Dollar, a number of connections are holding thumbs that their respective prospects will make it to the last 16 when declarations are confirmed for the richest race ever on the African continent.
Sean Tarry – positive approach
The 1400m spectacle is scheduled for 23 January, Investec’s Day Of Dreams, and will be staged alongside the Gr1 Klawervlei Majorca Stakes and the Gr1 Investec Cape Derby.
A few of the leading early contenders were withdrawn at first entry stage last week, including the well-performed Lauderdale, Perfumed Lady, Main Submission and Jubilee Line.
Several others have moved up the log to be in contention as a result, including Melliflora and Fifty Cents while Lunar Approach now finds himself in 12th spot after his merit rating was hiked by seven points following a particularly impressive handicap success at Turffontein recently.
Sean Tarry, who trains Lunar Approach, said on Tuesday morning: “I’ve taken the liberty of putting him and Swift Sarah (Log #15) on a float to Cape Town. I am confident they’ll both get in. Machismo is outside of the Top 22 but he has a small chance of making the line-up if he can win, and win well at the Vaal today.”
Gavin Van Zyl – happy with the Captain
One entry certain of inclusion on his 104 rating is Gavin van Zyl’s colt Redcarpet Captain. The impressive Durban-based three-time winner will be leaving for Cape Town early next week and Van Zyl said: “He’s improved since winning at Greyville last month and he’s peaking at the right time. We’re happy with him.”
It’s wonderful to have three prospects among the Top 20, including the favourite, although this doesn’t come without an extra helping of pre-race pressure.
Candice Robinson, reporting on Mike Bass’ Silver Mountain, Ernie and Rodney, said she’s had a few butterflies in the build-up to the big event.
Robinson said about Silver Mountain, the super 111-rated daughter of Silvano: “She’s on target for the race, we’ll be taking her for a gallop at Kenilworth in Wednesday, she’s prepped well so far.”
Ernie has enjoyed a great prep
“Ernie has also enjoyed a good preparation,” she added. “We intend to declare him and Silver Mountain to run and hopefully also Rodney who is 18th on the current log and has a chance to get in. Rodney is better over 1200-1400m and will be suited to the race, he will also be galloping tomorrow(Wednsday).”
