The R150 000 Listed East Cape Sprint Cup has attracted only seven speedsters at level weights over the Fairview 1200m turf track on Friday. Tara Laing looks to hold a very decent hand with three quality runners.
Ms Laing has done extremely well to keep the speed kings on song over an extended period and Vauclair and Unannounced look set to fight this one out.
Vauclair charges in under Danielson to win the Listed East Cape Sprint Cup in 2014
Vauclair won this race in 2014 and the son of Var has never been better at the advanced age of 6.
That is demonstrated by the fact that he has won five of his last nine starts and is the epitome of a course-and-distance specialist.
Stable jockey Raymond Danielson would have had the choice of rides and this must be the stable elect.
Unannounced – returns from a rest
The 7yo Aussie-bred Unannounced comes off a 17 week break after a rare blot on his copybook when 6,90 lengths off Al Don Cumarco last time.
He loves the course and distance and is sure to give Vauclair a fright and run for his money.
The West Is Wide was beaten 4,50 lengths by stablemate Vauclair over the distance and course at his last outing and that is likely to be the margin again.
The West Is Wide is very fast, but tends to run short of fuel late. He did beat Unannounced a quarter length over the track and trip in April last year in receipt of a kilo, but is unlikely to repeat that.
Yvette Bremner’s Gr1 winner Copper Parade owes his connections absolutely nothing and was cramped and bumped before going down just 2,45 lengths to Gulf Storm in the Cape Flying Championship at his last start.
He ran second to stablemate Sir Duke in this even last year.
Those out-of-province raiding trips are obviously becoming tougher at his age but he is always a factor at home and there is probably a length between him and Vauclair at his best.
Justin Snaith – saddles Villa Del Lago
Justin Snaith’s Villa Del Largo is a pacy son of Jallad and won a really good race beating the top campaigner Distinguished on the poly last time.
He is held by Vauclair on his penultimate start at these weights, but cannot be underestimated in the hands of S’manga Khumalo in this small field.
Hekkie Strydom will be looking to his 7yo warrior Russian Mig hopefully giving him a belated birthday present.
That said, the twelve-time winning son of Qui Danzig has not been at his best of late and may lack the toe and general enthusiasm to take on this lot over the 1200m.
Mike Bass’ Equity Kicker looked promising early on but the son ofn Trippi has not carried the hype through to anything convincing of late.
He has run to a lifetime high of 90 but has been battling to assert himself and down at an 85, he should battle against the seasoned local quick gang at these weight terms.
Vauclair has to be the choice and he should notch up his 14th career victory.
