Barring a market springer in the shape of one of the four first-timers in the race, the Varsfontein owned and bred Erik The Red looks to have the R200 000 Kepu Gr3 Cape Of Good Hope Nursery at his mercy today.
Jonathan Snaith said that they were confident of a big run from Erik The Red and that he was the best bet on the card.
Erik The Red wins the listed Sun Met day feature (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
“The nursery is more of novice race than a Gr3. There is not much depth,” he added.
Likely to be every man and his dog’s Place Accumulator banker, the Listed Summer Juvenile Stakes winner is the standout in the seven horse field – and we are not debating the wisdom of moving the race in the programme. There are clearly experts in the system that are much cleverer than us.
Erik The Red caught the eye on Met day, when he made it two in a row with a facile victory over Emblem Of Hope to capture the first Cape Juvenile stakes credit of the season. He has won his last two by an aggregate of 6 lengths and should have it relatively easy.
Purple Cloud was rumoured to be unbeatable and had the dogs barking all week before his debut, when he found one too good in the shape of Tempting Fate. The latter was not fancied by the Drier team – which casts a doubt over Purple Cloud, but he is bound to improve a few lengths.
Joseph Barry runs in the Met winner One World’s silks. He is the first of the Marshall trio. He won well on debut but was then solidly humbled by Erik The Red when beaten close on 3 lengths in the Listed feature on Met day. Take note – Anton Marcus rides.
Bred on solid speed lines, Piet Botha’s Captain Dizzy will have to be taken on trust on debut and the betting will be the best guide in the case of all four first-timers.
Also bred on the same cross by Klawervlei Stud, the same applies to Vaughan Marshall’s Contact Zone.
Third of the Marshall trio of runners, and an interesting choice – if that was the case – by jockey MJ Byleveld, Rascallion is a son of Vercingetorix and cost R350 000 at the Cape city centre sale. A half-brother to the stable’s well-performed Agent Of Fortune (What A Winter), he could well the stable elect.
Another R350 000 Cape Premier Yearling Sale graduate, Voyeur is a son of Var – our top 2yo sire and capable of being just about anything. Sean Tarry and Gavin Lerena team up with the Avontuur-bred colt who is rumoured to be above average.
Erik The Red is a confident first choice. But monitor the betting.
