Mike De Kock looks set to get his Summer Of Champions campaign up and running at Kenilworth on Saturday in the R400 000 Gr2 Selangor Cup. The exciting O’reilly colt Muwaary can confirm his recent Gr3 Graham Beck Stakes win against some equally progressive local hopes.
Muwaary – highly rated and has the credentials
The Graham Beck Stakes was run on the same afternoon as two well endowed Ready To Run races at Turffontein at the end of October and De Kock indicated afterwards that he had felt that the money magnet had drawn any serious competition and reduced the depth of the 3yo Gr3.
A little bit of the same scenario rears its head at Kenilworth on Saturday, where the top-class Seventh Plain skips the Selangor in favour of the Lanzerac Ready To Run Stakes. But who can blame the Joostes? Lesser opposition and more money make the Ready To Run a no brainer for Seventh Plain.
But back to Muwaary.
He may have beaten little of note when winning the Graham Beck Stakes, but the clock doesn’t lie and his time on the day put the win nicely into perspective – and reaffirmed his ‘exciting prospect’ label.
His form in two 2yo features behind Seventh Plain, also suggests that Muwaary is a talented fellow.
He was beaten 1.55-lengths by Seventh Plain in the Gr1 Golden Horseshoe over 1400m at Greyville, but that was from a wide draw – and an outstanding performance given the circumstances.
Impressive Eighth Wonder
Muwaary has the best of the draw, but it is his first run on a left-handed track.
Greg Ennion’s smart Gr3 Magnum Cape Classic winner Eighth Wonder emerged as a serious classic prospect when winning the feature in fine style last time.
The son of Fort Wood should relish the extra 200m as he tries the mile for the first time, but with no collateral, it is pure emotion that suggests he could get the better of Muwaary.
Hard Day’s Night has been working well
Joey Ramsden’s Hard Day’s Night was beaten 2,65 lengths by Eighth Wonder in the Cape Classic, and is 2kgs better off here. Word is that he is much better than his last run and has been working well.
The Mike Bass trained Rodney came from the clouds in the Cape Classic and went past Hard Day’s Night to finish 2,25 lengths behind Eighth Wonder. It is interesting to see that Bass’ first call rider Grant Van Niekerk takes the ride back from Aldo Domeyer.
Rodney will undoubtedly be suited to the extra 200m and this is one fellow that Anthony Delpech and Muwaary will have to keep an eye on.
Vaughan Marshall – saddles Victorious Jay
Vaughan Marshall’s Victorious Jay actually beat Eighth Wonder at Durbanville at his last start – his 3rd career win from 7 starts.
He is a kilo worse off with Ennion’s Classic winner, but is well drawn and looks to be anything as he continues to step up.
Duncan Howells has pulled an unlucky 13 draw for Sylvester The Cat, who has his second run in the Cape after a quiet sprint prep.
He won a low-grade handicap over a mile at Scottsville, but would not have made the travelling party of he was not highly thought of.
Glen Puller’s Illuminator is unbeaten in two from two.
Glen Puller (pic: hamishNIVENPhotography)
The Trippi colt is a fascinating runner as he could be just about anything, trying the mile for the first time.
The engagement of Andrew Fortune and the fact that his top-class dam won up to 1800m, suggests that he may be worth including – certainly for quartets.
Justin Snaith has a well- bred pair of runners.
Aspara won two over the mile on the trot, before going down 4,75 lengths in the Cape Classic. The son of Western Winter has drawn wide but enjoys a 2kg pull and will be more comfortable over the extra.
His stablemate Fifty Cents comes off a ten week break, following his post-maiden victory at Durbanville.
Interestingly, he accounted for the highly regarded Victorious Jay to win his maiden – and that one went on to beat subsequent Cape Classic winner, Eighth Wonder.
Dean Kannemeyer – saddles Lord Marshal
The Horse Chestnut colt Lord Marshal has drawn nicely at 2 for Dean Kannemeyer. He ran a decent second in the Langerman to Ready To Attack and came out last time to beat a fair field of older horses over Saturday’s course and distance.
He is not a horse to leave out of any permutations.
Brett Crawford’s Nassa has been stepped up gently to register two on the trot.
The Wilgerbosdrift Stud-bred colt has attracted betting support at his last 3 outings and his course and distance win against older horses in handicap company was a good effort.
He has his first try in the big league and his progress will be monitored with interest. He races for top Hong Kong owner, Edmund Siu.
Muwaary is the choice and banker bet for the exotics.
