Anton Marcus – back in action
The return to race action of top jockey Anton Marcus adds sparkle to a bumper Saturday at Scottsville today where the unique local ‘open’ Derby and Oaks will be run
Cape trainer Dean Kannemeyer, who has won the Track & Ball Derby in three of the last four runnings of the 2 400m event, holds a very strong hand with last year’s winner, Mr Winsome, well drawn and in a strong position to complete the double.
At the weights, the stable trio could fight out the finish, but one that might upset matters is the 3yo Dynasty colt American Landing from the Crawford stable that won the Eastern Cape Derby at his last start.
It’s My Turn – worth yet another chance?
The enigmatic 2016 Investec Cape Derby winner It’s My Turn is still looking for another win, but is a classy son of Dynasty who has not enjoyed the best of luck at times. He should be cherry ripe for a big run after two fair pipe-openers and in the process book his July ticket.
Peninsula Handicap runner-up The Slade is much better than his last two runs and the yard are looking for him to confirm his July eligibility by going close on Saturday. He is yet to prove he stays but is a class individual.
Mr Winsome wins the Derby in 2017
Topweighted Mr Winsome won this race last year beating Sun On Africa. After a quiet spell, he ran on steadily for a fairly well beaten third in the Lonsdale last time and could be ready for a serious double bid.
East Cape Derby runaway winner American Landing has won two of his five starts and is without doubt the scopiest contender in the field. If he reproduces what the connections feel about him at his first KZN start, he should just about win this.
American Landing – on the up and faces his biggest test to date
Ollivander was the subject of a mid-race move in the Cup Trial that saw him not unexpectedly fade out to over 8 lengths off African Night Sky. A one-time winning 4yo, he needs to find a finishing effort before being regarded as a likely challenger..
Sean Tarry travels with the Judpot 3yo Forafewdollarsmore who did not run a bad race when sixth and just over 3 lengths off Hero’s Honour in the SA Derby. A repeat of that sort of effort would give him a place chance.
Sean Tarry – outside hope
Liquid Rainbow failed to improve on his Highland Night Cup fourth when fading quickly in the Lonsdale Stirrup Cup last time. He seems better than that and on best earlier form is another that has a place chance.
Ballymaine is 3kgs better off with Top Classman on his penultimate start. The son of Main Aim won three on the trot, including a maiden course and distance success in December 2017. He looks a fair stayer in the making but this is tougher.
A strong front-runner, Andre Nel’s Silver De Lange is a consistent stayer. He faded to run a ten length fourth behind Made To Conquer and Strathdon in the Lonsdale Stirrup Cup at his last start and could be a factor at this circuit from a 1 draw.
Top Classman is an improving 3yo son of Mogok who is equally proficient on poly and turf and strips fit after an eyecatching second to the older war horse Gone Baby Gone at Greyville last Friday. This will be Top Classman’s first dip into feature waters.
The Kannemeyer trio are the class and well in at the weights. If American Landing is as good as they say he is, he could be the one too blow them all away.
