Disco Al – Stydom switches rides to Coltrane and could offer some value
The trick is not to let the solvency of your Met day balance sheet influence your judgement going into the lucky last. The R400 000 Gr2 J&B Stayers is run on the round-the-course 2800m and on paper Joey Ramsden has a strong hand with his revitalised Cape Summer Stayers winner Coltrane and good back-up in the Algoa Cup winner, Disco Al.
The race has undergone a brand change again – it used to be the J&B Reserve Stayers for years. Then it became the J&B Jet. Now it’s the J&B Urban Honey Stayers. The name is certainly getting fancier by the year.
The 5yo Argentinian-bred Coltrane has bounced back from an ill-conceived raid into Zimbabwe in mid year and has won his last two starts with dazzling late runs.
His penultimate run when getting the better of the consistent Gothic by 0,75 lengths in the Gr3 Cape Summer Stayers came as a bit of a shock, but Coltrane went one better next time when dead-heating with Current Event over Saturday’s course and distance in a Pinnacle Stakes.
Coltrane goes down to River Crossing in last year’s round the course race
Oddly enough, Coltrane just failed to hold River Crossing in this race last year – that after leading almost all the way!
Coltrane has them beat on paper on Saturday and there is no question that Strydom’s engagement is the ace. Ironically he has drawn 1, which won’t make any difference as he will be dropped out.
His stablemate Disco Al has had one prep run since a disastrous trip to Joburg for a failed Sansui Summer Cup bid. He ran a reasonable 6,60 lengths behind Met hope Arion in the Gr2 Peninsula Handicap and while not an out and out stayer, he has at stakes level up to 2500m and has a touch of class about him.
Wavin’ Flag – disappointing and has it all to do at the weights
Topweight Wavin’ Flag has failed to build on his win in the Gold Cup and his solid fourth behind Louis The King in the Summer Cup.
He has twice been beaten by Coltrane, who holds him again and the word is out that trainer Brett Crawford may resort to the blinkers again – a move that was tried previously without success.
Probably the best horse in the race is Stan Elley’s Dynastic Power.
The 2014 Gr3 Winter Derby winner disposed of Met prospect Power King in emphatic style duing the winter after showing flashes to top ability against the best of his year. On paper he will struggle to beat Coltrane, but has nice scope to put a winning performance together and he should certainly get the trip.
Gothic – is very consistent but cannot get his head in front
The very consistent Gothic just cannot get his head in front and has managed three seconds at his last three starts. As a 5yo, he is still unbelievably just a two-time winner but veteran Karl Neisius stays loyal to him for the fifth consecutive attempt – that is a very good sign!
His stablemate Desert Swirl is a game stayer, who is always capable of delivering a decent finishing effort. Outclassed in the Gr2 Peninsula Handicap last time out, his earlier ground form brings him into the mix.
Mike De Kock brings the Archipenko gelding Kingston Mines to Cape Town off some reasonable staying handicap performances up North. He ran last Tuesday at Turffontein when 8,25 lengths off the progressive Shad Ofhis Smile over a too-short mile. He carried 52kgs when third behind Shimmering Gem in the Gr3 Gauteng RA Handicap on Summer Cup day run over 3200m, and could be a fair prospect as a quartet kicker in the field.
Shingwedzi – well weighted filly could provide the upset
Mike Bass won the race last year with River Crossing and he saddles two. On the face of it, his Trippi filly Shingwedzi looks a real option at the other end off a handy galloping weight on her best stakes performances and looks very likely to handle the extra 300m on her breeding.
Mountain Master cost a packet as a yearling and has not quite fulfilled his promise yet. The son of Jet Master returns from the Bass Joburg satellite facility after running on for a decent fourth behind Met hope Killua Castle in the Gr3 London News Stakes. This half-brother to Majorca Stakes runner Inara tries the 2800m in the capable hands of Sean Cormack, and could shock them if things pan out for him.
Putney Flyer – puts in a good effort every now and again
Putney Flyer came back to his best in November with a nice win in the Listed Kenilworth Vup run over 3200m. He has run unplaced twice and looks well held by Coltrane on his Cape Summer Stayers Handicap effort.
Justin Snaith’s Current Event has surprised friend and foe with his performances in lifting his game. He has won 4 of his last 5 starts (two in PE) and rallied powerfully to dead-heat with Coltrane last time. The weight turnaround will make it difficult for him and he jumps on the wide outside of the field – he will need things to go his way.
His stablemate Ash Cloud has yet to spark in two Cape outings and looks to have lots of improving to do.
Trainer Sean Tarry – saddles Serissa
Sean Tarry’s Serissa has not fulfilled his earlier promise but drops a few leagues into a zone where he could be more competitive. He finished only 3,95 lengths behind Wavin’ Flag in the Gold Cup and meets the Crawford runner at a 3,5kgs better terms.
So a tough one to unravel. If it’s a case of a get-out for a taxi fare or a walk, then we’d stick with the fitter Ramsden runners. The Goodhope Racing treadmill works 24 hours a day and both Coltrane and Disco Al will be ready.
Gothic and Dynastic Power could be next best, and don’t leave out the last race merchant Grant Van Niekerk on Shingwedzi.
