The powerhouse operations of Mike de Kock and Sean Tarry look to hold all the aces in today’s R2 million Gr1 Summer Cup.
With nine of the twenty runners between them, they also hold the ascendancy in terms of pure numbers. But don’t write off the likelihood of a bomb result as everybody is focussed on the R1,2 million winner’s cheque.
The Summer Cup is a highlight on the Highveld racing calendar and despite often being maligned as a less than illustrious affair with no genuine star quality in depth, it always produces a cliffhanger and the 2019 renewal looks to deliver again.
With SA champion trainer Sean Tarry up for a hat-trick, it looks to be Mike de Kock in the role of party spoiler, with his decision to include the high-class 4yo Soqrat in his attack.
De Kock came in for some stick after the Victory Moon when he indicated that he would personally prefer to avoid this race and look to a summer vendetta down South with the likes of Do It Again and Rainbow Bridge. An unforeseen African Horse Sickness case threw a spanner in the works there and the Cape’s loss is Clyde Basel and his marketing team’s gain as they look to supplement their big day with equine star quality.
Soqrat – improved even more as a 4yo (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
Lumbering topweight, Soqrat comes in fit after an eyecatching Victory Moon Stakes win where he carried 62kgs and annihilated his opposition. The doubts about his ability to get 2000m were soon allayed by the ease of that win and he is now out for a fourth Gr1 title. He does give weight to all, except his stablemate Barahin – but looks close to being equal to the challenge, despite a 14 draw.
Barahin scored his second Gr2 success when cruising home to win the Charity Mile last time. He was nailed with a 9 point penalty for that score so is now called upon to deliver. He did beat Soqrat at level weights as a 2yo, but that is modern history in the context of his star stablemate’s improvement this term.
Barahin – should be right there (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
With 60% of the field in under sufferance, the race should be fairly straightforward – but that is far from the truth.
While unproven over the 2000m, Candice Dawson’s gallant grey Infamous Fox does his best for MJ Byleveld and seems much better than his Charity Mile run. He took a whip in the face in the Spring Challenge at his penultimate start and looks nicely prepped for a big effort as well as being nicely in.
The classy Divine Odyssey has enjoyed a prep of mixed fortunes but loves this track. He only lumbers 52kgs and meets Soqrat on 4kg better terms for a 4,5 length beating in the Victory Moon.
Divine Odyssey – carries a handy galloping weight (Pic – JC Photos)
Cape Derby surprise winner Atyaab won the Java Handicap after gelding. He is a real stayer but even on bottom weight will probably lack the turn of foot required to win this all-ages Gr1 over this trip.
Gavin van Zyl brings Marchingontogether up from KZN and the blinkers are removed from the son of Pathfork. He is yet to show any real taste for the Turffontein circuit and after disappointing in the Charity Mile, we must wonder if he has the credentials to win here.
The 2018 Summer Cup runner-up, Dawn Assault carries the same weight again and has done well this term, winning twice. He looks a quartet rover for the optimists.
Aussie entire Roy Had Enough has yet to show his best home form in four Turfontein starts. He was well beaten 3,75 lengths by Soqrat in the Victory Moon.
Roy Had Enough – will have his supporters (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
Zillzaal has his third run after gelding and disappointed his fans last time when going off favourite in the Charity Mile. Do we give him another chance?
The defending champion Tilbury Fort carries a kilo more than last year. He was beaten 7 lengths in the Charity Mile and looks to have quite a task to double up.
Green Haze was runner-up to Soqrat in the Victory Moon when well weighted. He is yet to win at stakes level and will need to up his game.
KZN raider Camphoratus has yet to win over further than a mile and her two starts this term have been disappointing.
Cascapedia ran three Gr1 places last season but is still looking for a maiden Gr1 victory. She was a distant third to Barahin in the Charity Mile and even with a 4kg swing at the weights, she seems an unlikely winner.
First of the Woodruff duo, the smart mare Insignis gives Cole Dicken his first Summer Cup ride. While she had excuses last time, and on paper needs to lift to win this, she loves this track and all four of her wins have come at Turffontein.
Flying Winger is a consistent placer and continues to hold his form – even if well beaten in the Charity Mile. He now finds himself only a half kilo better off with Barahin for a 6,75 length beating last time and will literally need to grow a pair of wings to turn the form around.
Consolation July winner Shenanigans would be a surprise winner after two quiet prep runs coming into this race.
Alec Laird’s Bize is a useful lightly raced sort who has enjoyed a solid prep. But she is 5,5kgs out on official ratings and has a tough task.
How good is Queen Supreme? (Pic -JC Photos)
Mike de Kock labelled Queen Supreme a Gr1 filly after the lightly raced Irish-bred galloper scored a facile victory at her first try at stakes level in the Gr3 Yellowwood Handicap. She is a full 4,5kg under sufferance here though and will need to bring her A game to town!
Second of the Woodruff fairer sex duo, Sunshine Silk is a solid staying mare whose two Gr3 wins have been achieved over much more ground than she gets on Saturday. She hails from a top stable and could be a quartet kicker.
The promising Al Mutawakel only has his sixth start. The good looking colt was beaten 4 lengths in the Victory Moon after choking up and making a respiratory noise. He seems sure to enjoy the 2000m.
In a race that should provide a great finish, the rampant Soqrat looks the right horse to maintain the momentum. He is selected to beat Barahin and Infamous Fox.
