Dynastic Power looks to be fulfilling his early promise and further improvement will see him go close
Trainer Stan Elley returns to Greyville on Saturday after his giant-killing performance in the Betting World 1900 at the same venue three weeks ago. He saddles his July duo of Winter Derby winner Dynastic Power and the old man Punta Arenas – and will be hoping for fireworks again from the pair.
Neither of the Elley duo have drawn particularly well but there is plenty to suggest that they can go close again.
But they will have to stop Alyson Wright’s former champion 2yo Kochka, who has done reasonably well since returning from a long injury enforced break.
He showed some pace when a decent level weights 1,75 lengths behind Futura last time and can be expected to improve further.
Elley’s Duo
Stan Elley – nice coupling
The 4yo Dynastic Power was the subject of a particularly good ride by Greg Cheyne when he powered home to hold Power King under the Greyville lights in the 1900.
Punta Arenas flew late from near last turning for home and he ran third 1,40 lengths behind his stablemate.
While Punta Arenas is 1,5kgs better off with his younger stablemate, the 100m shorter could well play against a horse who only gets going late.
They meet five opponents from the same race, with Justin Snaith’s Dynamic 2,5kgs better off with Dynastic Power for his 2,15 length beating and looking a likely improver.
The year older gelding had excuses in the 1900 as he was hampered late in running by the hanging Power King, and although he frankly looked beaten, may warrant another chance.
He ran on strongly (again with excuses) when beaten a half length by Solar Star in the Listed Sledgehammer and could be worth a third opportunity to make good.
Fever Pitch
Whiteline Fever – Piere Strydom rides again
Piere Strydom jumps aboard the Tarry warrior Whiteline Fever, who is 2kgs better off for a 2,80 length beating in the same race.
Sean Tarry was quoted in 2014 as citing this fellow to be his July horse and that he is convinced he would stay 2000m.
With Strydom sticking to the ride, he may warrant inclusion.
Dean Kannemeyer’s It Is Written never showed when needing the run in the 1900, where he ran 3,65 lengths off the winner.
Another son of Dynasty, he carries a galloping 53kgs, has S’manga Khumalo in the irons and is 2,5kgs better off with Dynastic Power.
Mike Bass has engaged Anton Marcus for the disappointing Helderberg Blue, who runs from a 1 draw.
He appears to have been overcooked by the handicapper after his Met third and battling to assert himself.
The costly son of Jet Master ran downfield in the Drill Hall Stakes and the Betting World 1900 and needs improvement if he is to earn.
Bold Inspiration ran worst of the seven Betting World 1900 participants and the biggest factor in favour of the son of Horse Chestnut improving appears to be the fact that the race is being run at Clairwood.
Topweight
Gold Onyx – runs fresh and Grant Behr rides again
Topweighted Gold Onyx is a 7yo who relishes a scrap at the top level still, despite his advanced age.
The son of Black Minnaloushe ran on best behind Futura in the J&B Met and built on his solid foundation of a third behind the same horse in the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate.
He has been rested 18 weeks but has run well fresh – and it is great to see trainer Sean Tarry staying loyal to jockey Grant Behr.
Athina is the only filly in the race. A top-class daughter of Fort Wood she comes out of an unplaced pipe opener in the Gr2 Camelia Stakes and may well need this.
She also did not distinguish herself when tried against the boys in the Sansui Summer Cup.
Unlikely
Wild One has been rested 46 weeks since running an eyecatching second to Wavin’ Flag in last year’s Gold Cup.
The son of Mogok is versatile at best but he is a stayer and he is likely to need this in preparation for another go at the Gold Cup.
Duncan Howells’ Beewithmee is a striking grey who stays well but takes forever to get going.
He was reported coughing after the Highland Night Cup where he failed to show and looks to be outgunned here – with a bad draw thrown in.
Dynastic Power will have to improve again but looks to be fulfilling the flashes of promise he showed as a 3yo.
He is the selection to hold Dynamic and Whiteline Fever – and don’t discount the lightly tried Kochka and the old gunner, Punta Arenas!
