Brett Crawford’s classy and progressive Dynasty colt Futura gets our vote
The South African racing world sat up and took notice when the Dynasty colt Futura coasted home to win the Betting World 1900 Consolation three weeks ago. We are joining the lobby that suggests that despite facing some really decent older horses, he may just be good enough to take his next step up the ladder on Saturday and then set course straight into the July.
As a possible alternative to a preferential consideration ticket into the Vodacom Durban July, the winner of the the R250 000 Gr3 Cup Trial run over 1800m is also guaranteed a run in the Champions Cup, which is run at Greyville on Super Saturday, 26 July.
Soft Option
Futura’s connections opted to give the Daily News 2000 route a skip, and have opted rather for the potential softer gamble of a win in this race and its’ consequential potential lower rating implications. He is the only 3yo in the race.
It is pertinent to note that he was given a 16 point hike after beating Gifted For Glory at Greyville, and is most definitely not looking for an extra helping of pudding for July day.
Brett Crawford’s charge leapt to prominence with that rather low key feature victory and has done little wrong since making his debut in November.
His record of 4 wins and a second from 5 starts speaks for itself and he has won both his starts in KZN, including a smooth win at Clairwood at his penultimate start.
We cannot fault him at this point in time and he looks like one we should be sticking with.
Bass Trio
He faces ten opponents and Mike Bass has three guns aiming his way.
And Bass will be thrilled that his once promising Trippi colts are now maturing 4yo geldings who have hit form at the right time for some Champions Season action.
Abercrombie has improved since showing remarkable toe in his opening sprint at Clairwood.
He came home strongly at his last start to beat Speed Rocket going away over Satuday’s course and distance. He was not far behind the top flight Vercingetorix last season and is ridden by bg race jocke Sean Cormack.
Take A Trip
The second of the Trippi’s is the four time winner Night Trip who won a cracker in a strong handicap on Golden Horse Casino sprint day. He beat De Kock’s Capricorn Ridge and the highly rated Exelero when producing an electrifying burst inside the 200m.
He is probably the more progressive of the two and from a 1 draw is the choice of stable jockey Grant Van Niekerk. He has his first run at the course but is stabled there and would have seen the track.
Global Express is in under sufferance and achieved his last win in the lesser climes of Port Elizabeth.
Master’s Voice
Geoff Woodruff’s Master Sabina bounced back with a smart win at his last start after an extended quiet spell.
Master Sabina is best remembered for his brilliant second to Yorker in the 2013 Summer Cup and would only need to reproduce that level of effort to win this.
Owner Mike De Broglio will be very keen for this gelding to put in a good showing as he is a fringe qualifier for the July at this stage.
Distance Suited
Justin Snaith’s Readytogorightnow was outpaced in the Golden Horse Sprint but stayed on for a 5.20 length eighth placed finish to Normanz.
He was a winner of the first two legs of the 2013 Cape Winter Series prior to his long beak and Snaith has made no secret of the fact that he rates the son of More Than Ready.
Duncan Howells’ One Cool Dude is something of a course and distance specialist and ran an impressive fifth behind Espumanti in the Betting World 1900.
He shaded Gold Onyx there and meets the Tarry galloper on 1kg better terms.
Topweighted Royal Zulu Warrior is the class horse in the field but is racing well off his best form.
Tarry Duo
Sean Tarry’s Gold Onyx and Serissa are both racing off their best at the moment.
It would be foolish to ignore the claims of a veteran campaigner like Gold Onyx, who will be ridden by the master Piere Strydom.
He ran just over 3 lengths behind Espumanti in the Betting World 1900 and is the kind of galloper who will enjoy a kind ride. His last win was achieved at this track.
Serissa has been a little flat of late but is a course and distance winner and with champion jockey elect S’manga Khumalo aboard is worth inclusion in large quartets.
Garth Puller’s King Jace may be a little outclassed but the son of King Of Kings is very consistent and enjoys the track.
He ran third behind Joshua’s Crown last time and is capable of turning it on late.
Futura The Choice
The race looks a straight fight between the promise of the up and coming 3yo Futura and the proven 4yo’s Master Sabina, Night Trip and Abercrombie.
Then can we discount Gold Onyx? Probably not, but Futura needs to win it if he is as good as we think he is.
