Trainer Mike Azzie has enjoyed a year of emotional highs and lows. He went from wearing his heart on his sleeve, to adopting a ‘let my horses do the talking’ approach prior to the Gauteng Guineas – to eventually actually winning the SA Triple Crown by a hair breadth at the end of April.
Since then it has never been a dull moment as we have come to expect of the charismatic Azzman.
Karl Zechner – back in favour
He had Hong Kong-based Dougie Whyte aboard Abashiri for the July – then brought regular man Karl Zechner back after taking a dislike to Whyte’s tight travel schedule.
He then went on record as suggesting that he wouldn’t have run Aba if he had the choice – it was only his owner’s dream of a July winner that saw the son of Go Deputy taking his chances.
On Tuesday Azzie came up trumps with two July runners and a reserve candidate in Supreme Cup winner Deputy Jud – and with Rika Van Vuuren pulling a beaut 3 draw for Abashiri and hubby Adriaan a respectable 9 for Deputy Jud, Azzie almost missed the opportunity for Rabada – as he had to remind MC Graeme Hawkins that the son of Brave Tin Soldier was his.
Rabada – popular choice
The drama doesn’t end with Rabada carded to run in Sunday’s R1 million KZN Breeders Million Mile – just six days before his July date.
With Rabada under different ownership and Deputy Jud only a second reserve, there won’t be any chances taken and Rabada is likely to be assessed after Sunday, in a race where he looks a good thing.
The 3yo won a cracker at his last start when showing guts and courage to win the Daily News 2000 and looks the form and class act in a field lacking depth.
Way Of Light carries top weight
Topweighted Way Of Light won the Listed Sledgehammer at his penultimate start but was then 4 lengths off Exit Here after a no show Cup Trial.
Gavin Van Zyl’s No Worries is a former winner of this race and the son of Kahal is still going strong at the age of 6.
He has enjoyed some success over longer distances but is a pacy fellow who is no slouch oover the mile.
Tony Rivalland – trains Humidor
Tony Rivalland’s Humidor is an exciting 4yo and looks to be some way ahead of the handicapper off an 82 rating.
A winner of 3 of his last 4 races, the son of Miesque’s Approval steps up to the mile and must be a place candidate on form.
Sean Tarry’s Malak El Moolook is a decent sort on his day and must have a definite shout on his KRA Guineas fifth placed finish behind July favourite Black Arthur.
Bezanova wins the KZN Breeders Million Mile
His stablemate Intergalactic is the only filly in the race and on her Gr1 third placing behind Inara in April comes into the reckoning.
The quality galloper Bezanova won last year but has lost form while the balance look outgunned.
Rabada should bank the first cheque without too much sweat and he is the selection to hold Malak El Moolook and Humidor.
How Do The Weights Work?
Only ten runners will line up for the big prize at Greyville on Sunday.
This well endowed restricted race is for KwaZulu-Na tal bred 3-year-olds and older, registered as KwaZulu-Natal bred in terms of the Gold Circle Racing and Gaming Group Thorough bred Breeder, Stallion and Owner Premium scheme.
The final decision as to eligibility will rest with the Company.
WEIGHTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3yo 4yo & Older
Three time win ners or less: 52,5kg 54,0kg
Thereafter 2kg penalty for each additional win up to a maximum of 60,0 kg for Colts & Geld ings and 57,5 kg for Fillies & Mares.
Additional Penalties:
Further penalties to accrue as follows for races won 18 months prior to the date of the issuing of weights for this race:
Winner of a Grade 1 . . . . . . 3,0kg
Winner of a Grade 2 . . . . . . 2,0kg
Winner of a Grade 3 . . . . . . 1,0kg
Winner of a Listed. . . . . . . . 0,5kg
Winner of Graded races restricted to 2-year-olds will not in cur a penalty.
Additional penalties will not be cumulative for Graded race wins.
Multiple Graded race winners will be pe nalized for their highest Graded race win only.
A sex allowance of 2,5 kg for Fillies and Mares will apply.
