Consistent. Sean Tarry’s lightly raced E-Jet has plenty of ability and looks a big runner in the Gr2 Betting World 1900
The midweek action gathers serious momentum with the running of the R350 000 Gr2 Betting World 1900 under the lights at Greyville on Wednesday. Two smart sons of Jet Master look set to fight it out, although there is a General in the wings who could issue orders to ground both of them.
A few serious race-horses have won this race over the years and here one thinks of names like River Jetez (2008), Bold Silvano (2010) and last year the brilliant Beach Beauty. Bold Silvano aside, the winners do not generally stake claims to Vodacom Durban July glory, but that does not detract from the significance of what should prove to be an entertaining spectacle.
Standout
E-Jet and Jet Explorer stand tall as the two runners likely to fight out the finish. Sean Tarry’s General Sherman, the stable companion to the smart E-Jet, could have other ideas though. The son of Strike Smartly has won 5 of his last 6 starts and may well issue orders to ground the jets!
General Sherman is a versatile sort and has won features at his last two starts. The emphatic manner of his last two wins, speak of an improving 4yo and while poorly drawn, his style of racing could negate that. He has seen the Greyville circuit once previously, when running on strongly for fourth in a 1200m sprint feature.
Jet Flight
Flying High. Justin Snaith’s Jet Explorer is an improving sort who looks to have the class to win the Greyville feature
The Colorado King winner E-Jet is lightly raced and has won 4 of his 14 starts to date. Earmarked early as a likely July horse by his astute trainer, he comes in here off a good fifth in the recent Gr1 President’s Champions Challenge. He was liberally used there by Glen Hatt, and will suit Greyville in the hands of Anton Marcus over the trip.
Greyville specialist Gold Onyx is the third of the Tarry attack. The son of Black Minnaloushe has had two fair Pinnacle Stakes prep runs and jumps from the best of the draw. It would be foolhardy to ignore his prospects when reflecting back in his 2012 Champions Season performance.
The Justin Snaith yard can do nothing wrong at the moment and the smart Jet Explorer threw his name into the Champions Season hat with a storming late run in the Listed The Sledgehammer at his last start.
A low profile but always rated type, the son of Jet Master is a half kilo worse off with Tribal Dance on The Sledgehammer run, but he would have won it going away in another stride and we feel that he has plenty of improvement to come. He is also well drawn, and has plenty in his favour.
Judgement Call
Game. The Listed The Sledgehammer winner Tribal Dance is a tough sort who is a danger at best
Anton Marcus’ choice to ride E-Jet above the Listed The Sedgehammer winner Tribal Dance obviously needs to be taken cognisance of. Tribal Dance has always been an above average fellow, but is probably at his best around 2400m. In the light of his good last win, the former East Cape Derby winner must be respected though, and the enthusiastic Sean Veale will be out to prove Marcus wrong.
Ormond Ferraris’ Straw Market ran a good third behind E-Jet in the Colorado King Stakes and now meets the Tarry runner on 2kgs better terms. He is also 3,5kgs better off with General Sherman for a 2,75 length beating in the Listed Drum Star Handicap. That must bring the forward running son of Windrush into the calculation, and he would be registering his biggest career win in the process.
Alec Laird’s power galloper Pessoa won the Kings Cup in good style and is a kilo better off with Tribal Dance for a 3,40 length fifth in the Listed The Sedgehammer. This will be the son of Go Deputy’s first run at Greyville, but he hasdrawn well and will have crack jockey Kevin Shea in the saddle for the second time.
De Kock Duo
Mike De Kock sends out the duo of Viva Maria and Rock Cocktail, the latter having won a good race at Clairwood on Wednesday. Rock Cocktail showed courage and ability off a slow pace that would not have suited him, when forging ahead to win that MR 86 Handicap. He has been hinted at as a likely July supplementary, and would have to go close to winning this to prove his credentials. He is well drawn, and may be the dark horse of the race.
Viva Maria faded badly in the Drill Hall Stakes when finishing over 9 lengths behind Beach Beauty. She may have needed that outing after a three month break and should strip a fitter filly here.
Luckless
Dean Kannemeyer’s Woolavington Handicap winner Taipan is a luckless sort and comes in as the joint highest rated horse in this race. After missing a prep run on 10 May due to a weather affected meeting, he has drawn widest here and would not have had his prospects boosted by that.
Joe Soma’s Summer Cup winner Wagner has his first KZN run and opens his July campaign here. He has run just two races, both fairly ordinary, since his shock big win, and he will need to start showing improvement again.
Gallant Grey
Alyson Wright’s gallant grey Penhaligon ran a cracking second in the Kings Cup behind Pessoa, and followed that with a solid fifth in the Easter Handicap behind Roman Wall.
He was only outrun late when collared by Roman Wall in the Thombothi Stakes three runs back over the course and distance, and looks a fair place bet if things go his way. Colin Scott sends out the Dynasty gelding Fourth Estate, who is another who appears to enjoy the Greyville track.
The Fever Tree Handicap winner had excuses after being cramped in the Kings Cup and then ran a fair race in the circumstances. His 16 draw inspires no additional confidence, and he will have to get lucky to feature.
Headgear
Mike Bass’ Hammie’s Dynasty gets fitted with a set of blinkers, but his recent form has been disappointing and he looks unlikely to trouble the better ones.
The front running Territorial Waters ran a 1,60 length fifth behind Tribal Dance in the Listed The Sledgehammer, but now meets the Marshall runner on 1, 50 kgs worse terms. The Australian bred galloper’s style is readily suited to Greyville, but he also needs to show that he is up to Group class racing.
Top Stables
Both E-Jet and Jet Explorer hail from top yards and could be set to fight this one out. Jet Explorer is the less exposed of the two, but ran on strongly last time and will go well again. Tribal Dance is a game sort who inevitably gives of his best, while Straw Market is always thereabouts.
