Is the Gr2 Dingaans the likely ‘go narrow leg’ in Saturday’s R15 million Turffontein Pick 6?
There is something comforting and convenient about going slightly lighter towards the middle of the big bet and after the comments of Mike de Kock and Sean Tarry on the Summer Cup panel discussion earlier this week, we could get away with including just Eden Roc (1), Frosted Gold (2) and his unbeaten stablemate, Marshall (10).
Frosted Gold – goes a mile for first time (Pic – JC Photos)
Mike de Kock said that Frosted Gold has proved he can run. “Marshall is a big scopey horse with a nice pedigree. He has his issues but a very smart horse,” he added.
Sean Tarry said that Eden Roc needed his last two and is a big runner. “For me John Hancock could be the lurker,” he added in something that Pick 6 punters probably didn’t want to ear.
The Gr3 Concorde Cup knockout at Kenilworth last weekend demonstrated the dangers of jumping the gun on the classic picture. And the Dingaans is another Guineas lead-up race where a surprise could be on the cards.
A quality of field of 12 will line up at the mile pole for the R500 000 3yo feature. On the level weights framework of the race, it is really difficult to look beyond Eden Roc and Frosted Gold – both rated 114 and a lifetime ahead of the rest.
The one possible leveller could well be the mile first time for the top duo.
Eden Roc should be cherry ripe (Pic- Candiese Lenferna)
A Gr1 winner, Eden Roc ran on too late in the Graeme Beck Stakes when beaten 2,50 lengths by Eden Roc, to whom he conceded a kilo. His dam won well up to a mile and he should be nearing peak fitness to improve again.
Graeme Beck Stakes winner Frosted Gold looked ready to take on the mile and bigger things when he cruised to victory last time. His Gr1 related dam won up to 1600m and he looks ready to stake his Guineas claims on Saturday.
Form duo Paul Peter and Warren Kennedy were victorious last weekend at Turffontein and take the big guns on with Vercingetorix’ son Astrix, a three-time winner of six starts. He beat subsequent winner Ikigai at his last start and now steps into the feature league.
Cockney Pride – pacy filly takes on the boys (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
Corne Spies’ Cockney Pride will strip fit. She showed a lot of pace in the Fillies Mile at this track last Saturday before finishing fifth and 2,75 lengths off Summer Pudding. She will need to improve again to take the boys on.
Promiseofamaster is an interesting runner. The son of Master Of My Fate ran a very fair fifth and under 5 lengths off Got The Greenlight in the Gr1 Premiers Champion Stakes last term. His two runs as a 3yo have built on that and he won well over the course and distance when beating Spero Optima last time. He could be the dark horse.
Second of the De Kock duo and a must include on the champion trainers advice, Marshall has won both his starts and looks promising without exposure at feature level yet. He won well over the mile last start and could be just about anything.
Two-time winner Donderweer also tries the mile for the first time. He made respiratory noises last time when running unplaced in an MR 87 Handicap.
Frosted Gold looks the business. He should be too strong for his stablemate Marshall, with Eden Roc and Promiseofamaster fighting over the minor cheques.
The false rail is set at zero on the back straight to 5.5m on the bend, with a 5.5m spur at the 700m mark.
