It’s a stallion making contest in most years and the SA Champions Season’s speed climax.
Rescheduled this year to the Super Saturday programme, the R1 million Gr1 Mercury Sprint adds an exciting dimension to what should be a terrific day’s racing.
The champion honour roll of the Gr1 Natal Flying Championship, run today as the Mercury Sprint, is an illustrious one.
Harry Hotspur (Mexico II – Saturna)
It was 42 years ago that the speed star Harry Hotspur bowed out and registered the ninth of his eleven career wins, before moving on to a career at stud that saw him produce a host of champions and become a sire of sires.
Fillies have always held their own – witness Mike Bass’s Fly By Night who won the final running at Clairwood in 2014, and the Vaughan Marshall speed queen All Is Secret, who scored in 2013. We are getting old when one considers that it has been over 30 years since Terrance Millard led the outstanding Sunera in after she had gone off at 4-10 in what was also her swansong appearance.
Senor Santa
Just four years later, Northern Guest’s legendary fifteen time winning son Senor Santa made the Natal Flying Championship one of his sensational seven Gr1 victories when he bolted in under Gavin Howes.
Now run at Greyville for the fourth year, the barrier draw naturally plays a more strategic role than previously. Fourteen sprinters line up at the 1200m marker in what some may argue in not a vintage renewal – but certainly a competive contest!
Dutch Philip – top class son of What A Winter is drawn wide
Cape challenger Dutch Philip did not run the best of preps when beaten favourite on the polytrack on July day. Drawn in West Street on Saturday, he will need some luck in running but will be fit and has the outstanding Richard Fourie in the irons.
Drawn at pole position, Gary Alexander’s Tommy Hotspur Handicap winner Champagne Haze gets the services of in-form apprentice Denis Schwarz. He has failed to repeat his best form at his last few starts and was well beaten in the Computaform Sprint.
Local hope London Call – all heart
Gallant eleven-time winner London Call is another who has pulled a dirty draw. He showed courage when stretching Romany Prince in the KZN Breeders Million Mile last time. This is his best trip – a massive runner if he gets some luck in running!
TripTo Heaven – big runner if he breaks on terms
Trip To Heaven, now ridden by Karl Zechner, found his best form last time when beating Rocky Valley from off the pace and would be a major threat if he keeps his act together. The son of Trippi has a slow starting issue that has curtailed his ability to show his true colours.
Piere Strydom won on Bishop’s Bounty on July day last year and he seems the only positive for the rather in-and-out son of Western Winter.
Spring Spree winner Will Pays
Mike Azzie supplemented Will Pays into this race and on his best form – including his rattling good third behind Perovskia in the Drill Hall must have a shout from the 4 draw.
Candice Dawson’s Rocky Valley, drawn well at 2, is no slouch and can build on his fringe efforts in the Computaform Sprint and Tsogo Sun Sprint.
The Computaform Sprint winner Attenborough was well beaten in the Merchants but could have a shout if ridden quietly with cover. He is very talented on his day.
Vision To Kill is the only filly in the race. Her recent form does not inspire.
The lightning fast Pinnacle Peak has his first Greyville start off two excellent seconds in the Computaform Sprint and the Tsogo Sun. Anton Marcus rides the son of Querari from a wide draw – but he has ample gate speed.
Merchants winner Sniper Shot – tougher under these conditions
Merchants winner Sniper Shot is very consistent but has more to do at these weight terms. He could be equal to the task as a progressive 3yo.
Black Cat Back was beaten a half length in the Merchants by Sniper Shot and is a half kilo worse off. He looked dangerous late into the race and could benefit from a quiet ride.
Brett Crawford also saddles Sunset Eyes, who ran third behind stable companion Bold Respect in the Tsogo Sun Sprint. Well drawn at 3, he could go very close in this field.
Speedpoint – stablemate to classy Attenborough
Speedpoint is the second of the Ramsden coupling. The son of Var ran the race of his life in the Computaform Sprint when third to stablemate Attenborough. He failed to spark in the Tsogo Sun Sprint but ran a fair prep behind Woljayrine last time.
