All The Bids has plenty of weight to carry as a 3yo – but loves the surface and is fit
Kimberley and Kentucky are worlds apart and Flamingo Park is not Churchill Downs. That’s the geography hint this week for the handicappers from trainer Corne Spies who feels that his winners are being harshly treated at times in the Diamond City.
The industrious Spies travels from Harare to Durban and beyond in his perpetual quest to provide his owners with the opportunity of maximising their winning opportunities.
Bid For Glory
He saddles the likely favourite and topweighted All The Bids, a 3yo son of Daring Bid, who takes on some older opposition in his quest to lift honours in Monday’s R100 000 Northern Cape Stayers.
The Lensley trained New Circle looks to be his only danger.
Spies said that his horse was fit and well, but admitted that the weight worried him slightly, as it has a greater drag effect over ground- and the gelding is just a 3yo.
Corne Spies – wants the handicapper to go a bit easier in Kimberley
He lamented the handicapper’s wrath that his horses had to bear.
“I realise that a solid win deserves the necessary loading from the handicapper, but it is well and good in the context of Kimberley. But do they forget that we have to carry that same MR into other provinces? Look at poor Kiss Me Hardy. It penalises a yard like mine that travels and tries to win races. And surely the idea should be to make it attractive for stronger yards to bring quality horses to compete in the lesser centres from a betting turnover perspective?” asked Spies who has obviously had his debates with the NHA.
First Time
The versatile and sound as a bell All The Bids has won seven times from 1000m to 1800m and goes the 2200m for the first time.
We asked Corne if he felt he would stay.
“Look they start on the turn and he has drawn 13, but they have the whole of the back straight to sort that out. This is his first time past 2000m but Fanie Chambers knows him really well so will give him every chance. He is out of a speedy mare, but he loves Kimberley and won his races so well, I can’t imagine the 2200m will be a problem,” he said.
SA First
Daring Bid – sire of All The Bids
All The Bids was coincidentally the first SA winner for his sire, who was imported by the late Neil Sykes of Orangewood Stud.
A big individual, Daring Bid is the only son of Unbridled standing at stud in South Africa.
A half-brother to a multiple Group winner and Gr1 Preakness Stakes winner, the handsome bay stallion with chiselled features looks every bit the $US 1.4 million yearling he was. Injured in a float accident en route to his first run after working up a storm at Hollywoodpark, he was rested for two years and eventually achieved four wins in the USA over 1600-2200m on turf and dirt – he also placed 12 times in the process..
At Stud
Daring Bid began his stud career in the USA before making the trip to South Africa. His American crop includes a seven-time winner.
So All The Bids comes from proud stock and should not be underestimated as he goes for his eighth win. He will arrive in Kimberley on Monday morning and leave after races the same day.
While Tienie Prinsloo’s Karlo won this feature for the past two years running, the Northern Cape staying ranks is not ideal territory for the faint of heart punter.
Take the stat that only three of the thirteen runners engaged in the Northern Cape Stayers ran a drum at their last start!
A few also look jaded and ready for retirement – which opens the door to a possible upset in the event of a Salusa 45 moment.
Class
Can anything beat All The Bids?
Cliffie Miller – saddles a coupling
The class horse will always be the 8yo Smanjemanje, but he appears to be battling. 31 lengths back at his opening two Kimberley starts doesn’t make for great reading.
Cliffie Miller saddles Kingofmountain and African Gadiator.
The latter has been off form of late but did run third behind Karlo last year and stays the trip.
Circle Of Dreams
He was beaten some 39 lengths last time by Corrie Lensley’s improving New Circle, who comes in on a handy 52,5kgs and appears the only genuine form course and distance specialist in the race.
The son of Newton has won three times over the trip in his last five starts by an aggregate 15 lengths.
A fit horse, he has got to be classed as All The Bids chief danger. But Fransie Herholdt will have to ensure that he doesn’t get too far out of his ground and allow All The Bids to get away in the home straight.
