The Grand Heritage day at the Vaal gave the Gauteng ‘Summer In The City’ a serious kickstart last weekend and we are treated to quality of a different kind today.
We move to Turffontein where the R400 000 Gr2 Joburg Spring Challenge heads an attractive card.
The Joburg Spring Challenge is run at weight-for-age plus penalties and the racing operator will be thrilled that an unsponsored race would have attracted a field of the quality that it has.
July winner The Conglomerate will be stretching his legs and may find it short
Included in the quality field of fourteen is the Vodacom Durban July winner, The Conglomerate, who has been set topweight.
The Conglomerate will probably have the Sansui Summer Cup as his chief target for the Highveld Season and Saturday’s outing will be a look-see pipe-opener for those more pressing commitments that lie ahead.
Joey Ramsden’s son of Lonhro has not run for 14 weeks since that sensational July afternoon and with a wide draw of 14, he won’t be hammered for much more than a stretch of the legs.
The in-form fellow that catches the eye though is Gary Alexander’s smartly progressive Kangaroo Jack, who goes for five in a row. The son of Querari was a runaway winner of the Gr3 Spring Spree Stakes, when he bounced clear in the final stages to beat Angel’s Power.
Kangaroo Jack goes for five in a row and looks very progressive
That followed a three month after his Gr2 Post Merchants victory at Greyville, which was similarly impressive.
Jack Of Diamonds
Andrew Fortune, one of the top judges in the game, was adamant that Kangaroo Jack would stay on and his style of racing certainly suggests he will. Based on his current form, and at the weight terms on Saturday, it is difficult tipping against him!
Champagne Haze returns from a rest
His high-class stablemate Champagne Haze has drawn smartly at 2 but has been rested 27 weeks since running a 9,30 lengths fifth to Abashiri in the SA Classic.
The Gr1 Daily News 2000 winner Rabada also returns from a 14 week break following a surprise defeat in the KZN Breeders Million Mile.
The talented son of Brave Tin Soldier has his first run for Brett Crawford on transfer from the Azzie yard.
Top Day
Johan Janse van Vuuren had a fantastic day last weekend with four winners at the Vaal and he sends out the Australian bred New Predator.
The son of New Approach has not run in 17 weeks since since staying on for fourth behind Mac De Lago in the Gold Challenge.
He is a forward galloping sort and many will recall his burgle attempt at Legal Eagle’s Horse Chestnut crown in April. That afternoon he skipped many lengths away and only capitulated late.
Gavin Lerena, who was also in such devastating form last weekend, is aboard again. He could be a lurker running fresh.
St Tropez is the ride of top man, Anton Marcus
St Tropez, stablemate to The Conglomerate, has largely flattered to deceive, but is the ride of Mayfair Speculators’ first choice jockey Anton Marcus and could spring a surprise running fresh from a positive draw.
Candice Robinson saddles the Trippi 7yo Night Trip , who races from a wide draw after a nine week rest.
He is a horse who has run some outstanding races in bursts, but seems a touch overrated racing off a 113.
Mike Azzie has Will Pays and the long rested Trading Profit in the race.
Mike Azzie – outside hopes
The consistent Will Pays has drawn wide and steps up in class after a host of decent efforts.
The son of Imperial Stride does have some ground to make up on the likes of Kangaroo Jack and cannot be fancied.
Trading Profit failed to deliver on his early promise and was rested after a 6,85 length finish behind Rabada in the Daily News.
The son of Toreador has drawn against the rail, but has no serious hope at the weights.
Geoff Woodruff has Deo Juvente and Master ‘N Commander in the race.
There is little question that both will need it and will probably prefer a little bit more ground to be at their most effective.
Sean Tarry – saddles Safe Harbour
The Sean Tarry trained Safe Harbour is the only filly in the race and has been thrown something of a curved ball at her first run as a 3yo.
She ran a fair fourth behind Querari Falcon in the Gr1 Thekwini Stakes.
The daughter of Elusive Fort comes in carrying a paperweight 50kgs and could be an inspired place bet if things go her way.
Mike De Kock’s Gold Cup winner Enaad has his first run since his marathon success and will definitely prefer much more ground and is in the fitness building process.
The 6yo Bezanova appears to have lost his form and has not run a decent race for ages. He looks past his best.
Confident
All said and done, Kangaroo Jack looks to have plenty in his favour and should make it five wins in a row.
He is a confident selection to beat New Predator and Safe Harbour – with St Tropez a possibility.
