The fast improving Eddie Sweat is set to challenge Varikate
Frank Robinson’s 3yo Imperial Stride gelding Eddie Sweat is fit and consistent and gets a great opportunity to put the seal on a solid season with a stakes victory. He takes on eight older horses in the R150 000 Listed Umngeni Handicap run over 1000m on Gold Cup day. But can he beat Gr2 Post Merchants winner, Varikate?
Justin Snaith pulled an ace when he produced the lightly campaigned Varikate in top form to win the Gr2 Post Merchants.
The daughter of Var faces the runner-up from that race Kingston By as well as Eddie Sweat who finished a close third.
Weights
The swing in the weights must bring Eddie Sweat into the reckoning.
He ran 0,85 lengths ibehind Varikate into third in the Merchants and meets the filly on 4,5kgs better terms. The fact that Saturday’s race is over 200m shorter could well play into his hands and he will be very fit, having had a placed run on the poly on July day.
Anton Marcus rides the smart Mogok gelding Kingston Boy
Kingston Boy is 2kgs better off with Varikate on the Merchants but 2,5kgs worse off with Eddie Sweat is a well drawn course and distance winner and with Marcus up is a serious contender.
Varikate will need to show that she can handle the weight penalty.
She did win over the course and distance at her first KZN Champions Season start when beating the speedy Pej, so won’t be lacking for pace.
Brett Crawford’s Sail From Seattle gelding Gulf Storm has his first outing at Greyille but has hit good form at his last two starts.
He beat Mercury Sprint third placed Showmetheway at his penultimate run and was unluckily switched late when beaten a half length giving weight to Sheik’s Brashee last time.
Superman Rides
Topweight Mr Whatever beat the very fast Schiffer on the poly on July day and the two meet again here.
It may be significant that Anton Marcus has opted to ride Kingston Boy, but Mr Whatever was under two lengths off in fifth in the Merchants and is 1,5kgs better off with Varikate.
He is no slouch.
Will the brilliant Avontuur bred daughter of Var, Schiffer, be on her best behaviour?
Var’s Girls
Another of Var’s famous and fast daughters, Schiffer is also a kilo better off with her 0,75 lengths conqueror , but will need to overcome her behavioural issues to have a say. She was also noted to have made respiratory noises at her last run.
Dennis Drier has said that she is one of the fastest he has ever trained, so throw in the combination of Sean Cormack and a great draw and we would be foolish to discount her.
Vaughan Marshall’s coupling of The West Is Wide and Captain’s Lullaby have both failed to fire this KZN Champions Season.
The West Is Wide may have needed his first run in April and then was reported coughing after running handily when fifth (in a field of 7) and 4,20 lengths behind Mike’s Choice at Clairwood last month. He has never realised the potential he showed early on.
Quartet Kicker
Captain’s Lullaby ran fourth only 0,75 lengths behind Varikate at her opening KZN start over Saturday’s course and distance . Her two subsequent runs have not set the world alight but she is 5,5kgs better off with Varikate, so take heed for those quartets!
The Steven Janse van Rensburg-trained Insearchofthesun was found to be lame on the near fore when 7,20 lengths behind Fly By Night in the Mercury Sprint.
The big grey son of Whitechapel is very fast and not without hope of a place cheque if things go his way.
Choices
There are cases to be made for a good few.
Varikate has the weight turnaround against her. But she has won 5 from 11 starts and may be equal to it.
Eddie Sweat has received betting support at his last few starts and can deliver with an effort on the level of his Merchants run.
Kingston Boy has a touch of class and Anton Marcus won’t let them get away.
Then there is Schiffer, who has the ability and may institute a bit of mind over matter.
