A high quality field of fourteen speedsters will line up to do battle in the R1 million Gr1 Tsogo Sun Sprint at Scottsville today. Being a handicap, the 1200m contest is wide open and looks to be the toughest leg of what are expected to be bumper exotic bet pools on a terrific day of racing.
With moves initiated this term to level the playing fields in terms of the track’s historic track bias, a fair run affair is anticipated and a keenly fought finish is on the cards.
Senor Santa winner Talktothestars
Piere Strydom makes a welcome return to Gr1 competition and looks the perfect foil for Coenie de Beer’s barefooted topweight, Talktothestars.
The shock (for some) Gr2 Senor Santa winner followed up with an outstanding effort in the Gr1 Computaform Sprint when beaten a length by the rampant Carry On Alice. He landed up being embraced by the handicapper and comes in on his new 116 rating here.
Gulf Storm is very capable
Brett Crawford has two runners and the well performed Cape Flying Championship winner Gulf Storm is back to go one better, after chasing Captain Of All home last year.
The son of Sail From Seattle needed the run when unplaced behind Captain Alfredo in the Listed In Full Flight Handicap and will improve here.
His stablemate Cuvee Brut is one of only two fillies in the race and may also have needed her last jump when unplaced in the Poinsettia Stakes.
Captain Alfredo – toughest task to date
Dean Kannemeyer and Anthony Delpech team up for Fred Crabbia with the Listed In Full Flight winner Captain Alfredo is on the up and has won five of his last eight starts.
The handicapper has not been kind to him but the 4yo is improving fast.
Dennis Drier is a master on these big days and saddles a trio of runners.
Barbosa looks to be the stable elect and comes out fresh off his good third in the Gr1 Computaform Sprint.
The smart 3yo Seventh Plain has his second run after running fourth in the inaugural CTS Million Dollar.
The lightly raced Guiness is a former Gr1 winner on the day and showed a flicker of best when second to Asstar on his return run last time,
Red Ray back in action for Ramsden
Joey Ramsden star Red Ray returns to his former trainer after a spell with Mike de Kock in Dubai.
With Anton Marcus up, he may be worth including on his best form and could shock (as hinted at by Joey in his column).
Sean Tarry saddles the speedy filly Tiger’s Touch and the lightly raced Captain’s Causeway.
He was beaten 1,75 lengths by Captain Alfredo last time and is now 5,5kgs better off with the Kannemeyer gelding. That is a winning turnaround!
The Mike Bass 3yo Ernie was 4,75 lengths behind Captain Alfredo and is another better off – all of 3,5kgs .
Mike Bass-trained Ernie
Vaughan Marshall’s Exelero got the better of Captain Alfredo at his last start – over Saturday’s course and distance. He is 1,5kgs better off with his year younger rival but needs to maintain his consistency.
African Ruler is held in high regard by his trainer Paul Peter and comes in with a handy galloping weight. The son of Trippi is a pacy sort and has been brought along slowly.
Splendid Garden was beaten 6,20 lengths by Carry On Alice in the Computaform Sprint and has a place chance on his best earlier form.
In a wide open race, Gulf Storm could be ready to make amends for last year. Captain’s Causeway and Captain Alfredo could be best of the rest – and Talktothestars will be flying at them late!
