The R250 000 Gr3 Kings Cup is run for the first time on the Greyville polytrack on Friday with a mixed bunch of eleven facing the starter. As a handicap, the race is wide open and looks a tough one to unravel – with chances to more than a handful.
The Kings Cup’s traditional home has been Greyville but it was run at Clairwood in 2013 and 2014, and this time round switches surfaces.
That won’t be thrilling news for the purists but with the development and acceptance of the polytrack, it pays to acknowledge the surface with some quality races and this contest fits the bill.
Evergreen Uncle Tommy carries topweight
Ironically the horse topping the weights is the evergreen 8yo Uncle Tommy – a gelding who has won on every conceivable track from Kenilworth turf, to the sand at Flamingo Park and the Vaal, and even on Friday evening’s stage.
Uncle Tommy was a touch unlucky last time to go down narrowly carrying a welter impost of 62,5kgs to the capable younger Diamond King and will strip fit here.
He carried topweight again when 5 lengths by It Is Written in the Christmas Handicap, but he is lengths better on this.
Gavin Van Zyl’s saddles another seasoned Kahal gelding iin the 6yo No Worries who tries the poly for the first time.
No Worries – tries the polytrack
No Worries has paced it with the best in his time but has not won since October 2014 and is largely off form.
He did run on steadily at his last start when fifth and only 2,60 lengths off the progressive Ten Gun Salute. If he takes to the platform, he cannot be dismissed.
His stablemate Silver Spring finished 2,35 lengths ahead there with a surprise second but is 2kgs worse off and No Worries could turn the tables on him.
The Dynasty filly Olma has won her last two on the bounce against her own sex and now mixes it with the boys.
A filly who has shown touches of class, she is effective on the polytrack and cannot be discounted.
Charles Laird’s Jay Peg 3yo Exit Here has some weight to carry against older horses and won five in a row before not being disgraced with his fifth placed finish behind 3,05 lengths behind Illuminator in the CTS Million Dollar.
On best form, he must go close if not very well in.
Anton Marcus rides the second of the Laird runners in the very consistent Dynasty gelding, Stormy Eclipse.
The multiple course and distance winning 4yo never runs a bad race and enjoys to run at them late off a fast pace. Well drawn at 2, he has plenty in his favour and could revert to winning ways again.
Way Of Light – course and distance suited and is no slouch
Garth Puller’s Way Of Light is another consistent galloper who has won 5 of 13 starts and enjoyed course and distance success.
He finished in front of Storm Eclipse last time and is 1,5kgs better off with the Laird charge. That should keep him in front of Stormy Eclipse again but he has a wide draw to beat.
Dean Kannemeyer’s KZN Sattelite base has been in devastating form and they saddle the recent Gr3 Christmas Handicap winner It Is Written who comes back from a ten week break.
It Is Written – runs well fresh
The son of Dynasty is a course and distance winner and runs well fresh. While poorly drawn at 11, he is capable and classy and could compete for place money.
In Other Words is one of only 2 fillies in the race and is unbeaten in five starts on the surface. She now faces the boys as she steps out of her own sex class and will find this tougher.
She is obviously at her very best on poly and fluffed her lines when beaten 5,15 lengths by Olma in the Gr3 Flamboyant Stakes at her penultimate start.
On better ground and with a 3,5kg weight turnaround in her favour, In Other Words could have the edge on the Frank Robinson runner.
The 7yo Marchant has his first outing on the polytrack and has not won a race in close on two years.
That said, the son of Dynasty is pretty consistent and has reasonable proximity to some very decent sorts of the likes of feature winners Heartland and Light The Lights at his last few outings.
He may need a run or two to settle into his new base routine and others are preferred.
Mumsy’s Jet is a consistent course and distance performer who comes in fit after a gutsy course and distance win on 2 March.
The son of Western Winter has won 5 times from 25 starts after a slow start to his career – he only won his first race after 13 starts but has matured nicely and must have a shout off a galloping 52kgs from a decent draw.
A case can be made for many but we are siding with consistency and suggesting that Stormy Eclipse and Way Of Light may be equal to the task – with chances to the promising 3yo Exit Here and the in-form Kannemeyer runner It Is Written.
But the race doesn’t end there, so go wide in the exotics if the budget permits.
