Super Summer Showdown

The final field and barrier positions for Johannesburg’s most prestigious race, the Gr 1 R2 million Gauteng SANSUI Summer Cup to be run over 2000m, was announced today at a ceremony at the SmokeHouse Grill in the City and the tension-filled atmosphere provided a precursor to the big day on November 28.

SA Classic winner French Navy is top weight

The final field is full of class and the handicap conditions make it ultra competitive, so the race will attract a lot of discussion before the roar of the crowd marks the off next Saturday afternoon.

French Navy, one of two runners for champion trainer Sean Tarry, will carry topweight and will be the fancy of many after his powerful charge from the back under topweight in the Peermont Emperor’s Charity Mile, which could have carried him closer than sixth if he had not experienced traffic problems.

The Dean Kannemeyer-trained Vodacom Durban July winner Power King will receive 1,5kg from French Navy and like many progeny of Silvano could well now be at his peak as a five-year-old. He impressed in his recent preparation run over 1200m at Greyville, flying up for third.

Power King – July winner will travel up from KZN

The Irish import Flying The Flag will be one of three horses attempting to give Mike de Kock his tenth Summer Cup. He ran on well from the back in the Charity Mile and will likely relish the soft ground the rains could bring as he has done well in testing going in Ireland before.

The Tyrone Zackey-trained Judicial disappointed in his seasonal reappearance in the Gr 2 Victory Moon Stakes over 1800m, but he is an enigmatic sort and showed his class when finishing third in this race last year.

Master Sabina, runner up two years ago, will be having his second run after a year’s break and will be one of three horses attempting to give five-times champion trainer Geoff Woodruff his third successive victory in the race. Woodruff had the first three past the post two years ago and the first two last year.

Halve The Deficit is an honest Sean Tarry-trained campaigner and is sure to give a good account of himself.

The St. John Gray-trained Yer-Maan won Zimbabwe’s biggest race, the Castle Tankard over this trip, but has a much tougher task here.

The Weiho Marwing-trained Mac De Lago is capable of a strong finish, so is suited to the galloping Standside course and he comes off a decent fourth in the Charity Mile.

The Stuart Pettigrew-trained Easy Lover was finished strongly for second in the Victory Moon, suggesting he will get this trip, and his style is suited to the Standside course.

The Woodruff-trained Deo Juvente proved just why he is held in such high regard when winning the Victory Moon in impressive style and could be Woodruff’s chief hope.

Deo Juvente wins the Victory Moon Stakes

MLJet was a major disappointment last season as a three-year-old after showing much promise as a two-year-old, but has begun proving his class and comes off a fine second in the Charity Mile. However, there is a question mark over him getting the 2000m trip.

Ultimate Dollar is one of three horses for Justin Snaith and will be fancied by many as the course and distance should perfectly suit his style, in which he takes time to wind up into his long stride.

Disco Al, one of two runners for Joey Ramsden, is an honest type who is coming off a good preparation over 1800m at Turffontein.

Dynamic is often spoken of highly by the Justin Snaith yard and is due to deliver.

The Erico Verdonese Diesel Jet put up an astonishingly good front-running performance over 1800m in his last start and has burst into the Summer Cup picture.

St. Tropez will likely be Joey Ramsden’s yard elect. He looks to have come in well weighted as he has plenty of class and as one who stays well and packs a strong finish he will relish this tough 2000m course and distance.

East Cape Derby winner St Tropez

The Woodruff-trained The Captain’s Tune stayed on resolutely for seventh in the Charity Mile and this lightly race four-year-old could be the dark horse being a progressive sort who is still relatively unexposed.

The courageous De Kock-trained Ahlaam is one of two fillies in the race and will make a bold bid with a light weight. However, she is 0,5kg under sufferance.

Her stablemate The Centenary, the other filly, is also 0,5kg under sufferance but will relish the course and distance with her running on style and is another of the race’s dark horses.

The Gavin van Zyl-trained Platinum Jet was the last name announced and earned his place with a good third in the Victory Moon. He comes in 2,5kg under sufferance but is unexposed being a five-year-old who has won three times in just eight starts.