Festival Double Bet
In a flashback to bygone days, the concept of a consolation double dividend has been introduced
14th July 2017
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In a flashback to bygone days, the concept of a consolation double dividend has been introduced
It is not often that a Gr3 event carries a bigger stake than a Gr1 at the same festival, but the anomaly has arisen through the gradual downgrading of South Africa’s premier staying event over the past few seasons
The high quality Silvano gelding Marinaresco put his best foot forward to set up a magical moment in a fairytale farewell for veteran trainer Mike Bass as the curtain came down on the 2015 SA Champions Season at Greyville on Sunday
Justin Snaith’s newsmaking big gun Futura gave us a glimpse of his streetwise fighting side at Greyville on Saturday when he dug deep to peg back a determined Ice Machine and score an exciting last gasp win in the R1 million Gr1 Champions Cup
Ice Machine ran a cracker in the July when looking dangerous and only fading late. Over 400m shorter, and with Anton Marcus back in the irons, is it stretching the imagination that he could lower the powerful Snaith colours in Saturday’s R1 million Gr1 Champions Cup?
“The race was a bit harder than we expected. I thought we might be able to overcome the draw but he was caught five wide on the turn and then eventually had to go and lead the race. Obviously I never thought I would have Legislate leading the fastest horses in the country…”
The progressive Dynasty colt Futura has cocked a snoot at his detractors in the best way possible. His facile victory in Saturday’s R1 million Gr1 Beach Beauty Champions Cup at Greyville spoke louder than any words and finally laid to rest any doubt that he is anything but first class material with a bright future ahead of him.
With eight of the sixteen runners being Vodacom Durban July survivors, punters may be left pondering whether the big race form will actually make any sense. And if pace, or lack of it, will again be a determining factor in the outcome
“He is a valuable horse and it makes no sense risking further damage…”
Super Saturday provided a fitting climax to a great season, and proved again that horseracing has plenty to offer in terms of pure thrills and entertainment.
The Gr1 Champions Cup sees two sons of top sire Dynasty going head to head while Silvano has five runners carrying his flag
Any ideas for likely riders? Have your say
