Overdue. The Dynasty gelding Sage Throne gets an opportunity to deliver on his early promise in the Gr3 Lonsdale Stirrup Cup
There is not an abundance of convincing recent form to work on in the R250 000 Gr3 Lonsdale Stirrup Cup to be run over 2400m at Greyville on Saturday. The class stayer Blake won the race last year, and he returns to defend his title.
This race is a traditional stepping stone to the Gold Vase which is run on July day, and the Gr1 Gold Cup to be run on Super Saturday at the end of the season.
Rated
Classy. The Dean Kannemeyer trained Blake is very smart on his day and looks to bounce back in the Gr3 Lonsdale Stirrup Cup
Dean Kannemeyer’s Blake is held in high regard by the official handicapper and this stamp of approval has probably been at the root of the fact that he has not managed to win again since almost exactly a year ago, when he stormed through late in this race to beat Sage Throne. Blake has run nine times since then and despite some excellent performances, he has battled to add to his nine win tally.
He may have needed his opening 2013 Champions Season run when weakening late to run 11,25 lengths behind River Crossing in the Highland Night Cup at Clairwood on 12 May. That was Blake’s first outing for two months. He is 3,5kgs better off with River Crossing on that run, and it is a given that Blake will strip a much fitter horse this time round.
On The Throne
Another son of Dynasty ran second in this race last year. Sage Throne is 4kgs better off with Blake for a narrow beating in the 2012 Lonsdale and while that is probably larger academic, it is interesting to note that Sage Throne ran way ahead of him in the Highland Night Cup.
Sage Throne has only won four races and for all his ability, is yet to win anything of genuine significance. He ran a nice fourth in the Easter Handicap behind Roman Wall at his penultimate start and could be ready for a peak run.
Rapids
Mike Bass’ River Crossing is a fast improving little stayer who won the Highland Night Cup in good style at his last outing. The son of Caesour is capable of building on that here and has every opportunity of adding to his four win tally as a fit horse who probably has the Gold Cup as his season target at this stage.
Ormond Ferraris and his stable jockey Nooresh Juglall team up with the consistent Silvano gelding S’Il Vous Plait who stays every inch of the trip. His collateral form with the top stayer Seal gives him stronger credentials and claims than the majority of this field, and he only has to produce his best to be right there.
Quality
Paul Gadsby’s Kahal gelding Black Wing carries topweight and has earned his rating courtesy of some quality performances. The five time winner has only had one outing since the J&B Met and ran a fair sixth 2,10 lengths behind Tribal Dance in the Listed The Sledgehammer. While his Cape campaign was not highly successful, Black Wing has fringe form to some classy animals that bring him into the reckoning here.
Alyson Wright’s smart grey Penhaligo had excellent form before runninga shocker in the Greyville 1900 where he was found to be lame. While he is a gutsy forward galloping sort, he is yet to prove that he stays the 2400m and may also have fitness doubts from unsoundness report after his run just ten days ago.
On Fire
Dark Horse. Berry Blaze has a handy galloping weight and should enjoy the stamina test of the Lonsdale Stirrup Cup
The Mike De Kock trained Danehill Dancer mare Berry Blaze and the Royal Academy gelding Rocco’s Luck are both capable sorts, without credible recent form to recommend them. Berry Blaze is very well bred though and jumps from the 1 draw with a galloping weight. She is Gr1 placed over the Greyville 2000m and ran a fair prep over too short at her last outing.
Rocco’s Luck won four of his first six starts, but went west in the Aquanaut Handicap and his last two runs have not been eyecatching. That said, he did run a close up fourth behind stablemate Rock Cocktail at his penultimate start over 1800m at Clairwood, and may be better than he looks on paper under a light weight.
Beached
Mike Bass’ Jeppe’s Reef ran unplaced in the Lonsdale last year, and is an average staying sort who has five wins to his credit. His last two outings will inspire little confidence though. Sean Tarry’s Kolkata was rated as a fair stayer last season, but has lost his form and he finished miserably and way back in the Highland Night Cup.
Tough
This is a complex race to unravel, with many runners having the potential to win without the evidence of good recent form. Blake and Sage Throne are the selection to fight it out, with Berry Blaze a likely improver from a champion yard.
