Rabada – set to earn big money and keep unbeaten record
The undefeated Gr1 winning Mike Azzie-trained Rabada looks almost impossible to oppose when he lines up in the richly endowed CTS Ready To Run Cup at Turffontein today. The R300 000 2014 CTS Johannesburg Ready To Run Sale graduate goes for his fourth successive win in the R2,5 million feature and stands out as a banker bet – in what should be a mouthwatering Pick 6 pool.
The Summerhill Stud bred son of Brave Tin Soldier has been partnered by Anton Marcus in all three of his career victories to date and the top-notch rider will be aboard again on Saturday when the dashingly talented colt returns to the scene of his facile debut victory on SA Classic day.
The irony is that Rabada was relatively unfancied to start at 11-1 that day, but he has gone on to show his mettle with wins in the Listed Gatecrasher Stakes and the Gr1 Premiers Champion Stakes in the delayed Super Saturday meeting at Greyville on day one of this season.
Off his official rating of 111, he looks the proverbial shoe-in here and surely only his 16 draw or a measure of ring rustiness can dethrone him?
Next best is Charles Laird’s 97 rated Main Submission, a son of Oracy who is improving with every run – having won 3 of his 4 starts.
Talented Main Submission looks well held by Rabada
At his last start he gave Rikitikitana 3kgs and a length beating. On a line through that third-placed runner’s 6,75 length unplaced run behind Rabada in the Gr1 Premier’s Champion Stakes, he appears well held – but is a place prospect, even from the 13 draw.
Gary Alexander has four shots at the big cheque here and topping his quartet is Pierre Jourdan’s half-brother Champagne Haze, who has had no feature exposure but has bagged two wins from his first four runs.
Andrew Fortune will know him backwards by now and he will have a tactical plan to bank the big numbers.
King Of Chaos won twice in PE and did not show at his first Gauteng start when outpaced.
He is highly regarded and may the dark horse to chase Rabada home.
Charles Laird’s second runner Top Form has drawn in the sticks at 17 and was well beaten at his last start by the average handicapper Last Tiger at Greyville.
Piere Strydom’s mount Dance On Air, has been scratched.
Joey Soma’s Captain Al colt Off To Gaul has won his last two races since trying ground and is nicely drawn at 2. He reverts to the kind of trip where he was found wanting in his first two starts, but must have a fair shout.
Fairer Sex
Six fillies get a run and the best of these could be Sean Tarry’s recent maiden winner, Heaps Of Fun.
The Summerhill-bred daughter of Visionaire won her second start on the poly in facile fashion and jockey choice highlights her chances.
