Power Player. The pacy Always Al is fit and consistent and looks a big runner.
The scratching of Gavin Van Zyl’s Big City Angel has thrown the R200 000 Gr3 Kings Cup run over 1600m at Clairwood on Sunday wide open.
Delayed from last Sunday’s forget-table afternoon, the race goes ahead as originally carded. The honour role of this race does not make for dazzling reading, with few genuine stars winning it over the years. With a mixed bunch of handicappers and a few likely to enjoy more ground, Sean Tarry’s Always Al may now be the right one.
Pacemakers
An interesting aspect of the race is the surfeit of frontrunning types, so at the very least we can expect a true run race, with the best horse more likely to win it. But assumptions can be dangerous in this game!
Opposition
The most likeliest serious opposition is likely to be provided by Sean Tarry’s Always Al. The consistent son of Captain Al has won 7 of his 28 starts and while probably at his most competitive best over 200m further, is ridden by Kevin Shea from a good draw.
Always Al has come into his own as a 5yo and has won 3 of his last 9 starts, only having been unplaced once. He ran very freely in the Fever Tree when beaten 1,75 lengths by Fourth Estate, and is now 2kgs better off with the Scott runner.
That advantage may well be nullified by the extra 200m of this race, which is likely to suit Fourth Estate even more. His stablemate Roman Wall is likely to find this on the short side after winning the Umthombothi Stakes over 1900m at Greyville under a shrewd ride.
Reckoning
Alec Laird’s smart Go Deputy gelding Pessoa will be ridden by Anton Marcus on Sunday, and comes into the reckoning on that score alone. The 4you was rested for three months after a flat effort in the Victory Moon Stakes, after reeling off four smart wins in succession down in KwaZulu Natal.
If not being knocked back by the second run after a rest hoodoo, then he should be in the play, and makes for an interesting foil to the powerful galloping Always Al.
Dynasty’s Duo
Scott Free.The Fever Tree winner Fourth Estate goes for a fourth straight win
Colin Scott sends out the Dynasty 5yo coupling of Fourth Estate and the more staying type, Sage Throne, who have won ten races between the two of them. Fourth Estate has always been highly rated by his connections and has reeled off three wins in a row, the last being a facile victory over In A Rush in the Fever Tree Handicap over 1400m at Greyville last month.
The KZN 1600 winner could have serious Champions Season aspirations, and while not well drawn must be included in all calculations. Joey Ramsden’s well travelled In A Rush appears to be edging back to something of his best form, and the former Eastern Cape Champion Juvenile ran an improved race last time when going down 1,50 lengths behind Fourth Estate in the Fever Tree Handicap.
He is 1,5kgs better off with the Scott runner and In A Rush may enjoy the stiffer mile test as an older horse, who takes time to find his huge stride these days. This will be his first appearance at Clairwood, where he is now based, and he runs for Sean Cormack.
Too Short
Alyson Wright’s Daylami colt Penhaligon has excellent recent form and meets Roman Wall on 1,5kgs worse terms than when meeting him in the Umthomboti Stakes over 1900m at Greyville last month. Penhaligoo went down a half length there, and we are of the opinion that this could be 300m shorter than what he enjoys.
Dennis Drier’s Top Mark is a course and distance winner, who has drawn poorly and returns from a two month rest. The former De Kock horse runs well fresh though, and if Keagan De Melo can get him into the firing line with his handy galloping weight, he could threaten for the places.
The only filly in the races is Alastair Gordon’s Black Is Black, who is a capable sort and a winner of 3 races from her 12 starts. The same stable won the race with Lady Magpie in 2011, so it is not unlikely that Black Is Black could challenge for a cheque.
Confident Call
It is difficult making a confident call, but Always Al could dictate matters from the front, with In A Rush, Fourth Estate and Pessoa his likely most serious opposition.
