Expert - Andrew Harrison

After graduating with an Honours Degree in Journalism from Stellenbosch University in 1980, Andrew Harrison immediately started as a cub reporter on The Natal Witness, a leading KwaZulu Natal newspaper in the same year. Andrew moved to the sports department covering (cricket/hockey) before taking over as Racing Editor in 1982. He was the Racing Editor for 25 years before being head-hunted by Gold Circle to head up their newly created Publishing Department after the company had signed a contract to supply Independent Newspapers with their racing content. Andrew held this position for 16 years before reaching retirement in February this year, however is still responsible for the editorial and tipping content for all Gold Circle tracks for both local and international customers.

Expert Column for Champions Cup Day (S2) (Andrew Harrison)

 

S2-2    The Debutante

 

In this 1,200m G2 The Debutante, GOBSMACKED looks to be one of the better bets on the card.

J A Janse van Vuuren’s filly has won both starts in a common canter and looks well above the average. She started at cramped odds at her second start and made short work of the Mike de Kock-trained TAYOOBA who franked that form in no uncertain manner when romping home by three lengths.

The opposition is a little stronger and GOBSMACKED could face her biggest threat in the form of TOTALLY ROCKS from the Dennis Drier yard. She took time to shed her maiden but since being fitted with a tongue-tie she is unbeaten and romped to a comfortable win at Scottsville. She has a plum draw and should make a race of it.

Sean Tarry’s runners can never be discounted on feature days and ANTIGUA NIGHT strikes as a possible upset chance. She was far from disgraced in a G2 Golden Slipper when trying the turn for the first time and that experience should hold her in good stead.

BEVIES DELIGHT came in for mighty betting support last run, backed in from 66-1 to 12-1 and was not far back. She is still a maiden but may be worth including in exotics as she has a top rider Grant van Niekerk aboard.

SELECTIONS: 6. GOBSMACKED, 1. TOTALLY ROCKS, 2. ANTIGUA NIGHT, 9. TAYOOBA & 12. BEVIES DELIGHT

 

S2-3    Umkhomazi Stakes

 

G2 Umkhomazi Stakes over 1,200m is a tough race.

MERCANTOUR comes with solid Highveld credentials and is by far the most accomplished runner in the field. His only recent defeat came when trying 1,400m for the first time but has won three of his last four. Of concern is that his last defeat came when trying the turn for the first time.

In opposition again today is RIDGERUNNER who pushed MERCANTOR all the way to the line at their last meeting and was well supported in the market. He looks more than useful and can turn the tables.

FORMAGEAR won well over course and distance on debut and was far from disgraced from a wide draw in the G2 Golden Horseshoe last time out. He has a much better draw here and does appear to have further scope for improvement.

CAPTAIN BOMBSHELL stayed on well when contesting the G1 Gold Medallion as a maiden. The form of the balance is difficult to decipher as none look to be outstanding prospects.

MAGIC TATTOO found it tough going from a wide draw on the polytrack last time out. He won well enough prior to that to suggest a money chance.

SELECTIONS: 5. MERCANTOUR, 3. RIDGERUNNER, 4. FORMAGEAR, 8. CAPTAIN BOMBSHELL & 7. MAGIC TATTOO

 

S2-4 Thekwini Stakes

 

G1 Thekwini Stakes over 1,600m is many in with chances.

Runner-up in G2 Golden Slipper was the unfancied WOODLAND RETREAT. She was making late progress behind the winner Ameena who has been scratched. Against her is a tricky draw. Also on the wrong end of the draw is ROCK THE FOX. Sean Tarry’s filly had shown early promise when twice runner-up over 1,000m but was a revelation when sent a mile last time out, cantering home by 5.75 lengths. She does have more to do here.

CANADIAN SUMMER was run out of it late over 1,300m Bloodstock SA Sales Cup last time out and the stretch to 1,600m should suit. She also has the best of the draw to enhance her chances.

Tarry holds a strong hand with TIME FO ORCHIDS who came from a long way back when third behind AMEENA and WOODLAND RETREAT in the G2 Golden Slipper. She had the worst of the draw that day and has a much better gate here. She is definitely a must inclusion in all exotic bets.

HOLD MY HAND was a comfortable maiden winner over course and distance at second time of asking. She has more scope for improvement.

Of the balance BLESS MY STARS was an easy maiden winner and makes some appeal.

SELECTIONS: 1. CANADIAN SUMMER, 11. ROCK THE FOX, 12. WOODLAND RETREAT, 2. HOLD MY HAND & 3. TIME FO ORCHIDS

 

1ST DOUBLE TRIO SELECTIONS (36 unit bets):
S2-4:  
Banker – 1. CANADIAN SUMMER
Selections – 11. ROCK THE FOX, 12. WOODLAND RETREAT, 2. HOLD MY HAND & 3. TIME FO ORCHIDS
S2-5:  
Banker – 9. COUSIN CASEY
Selections – 2. ROYAL VICTORY, 1. QUANTUM THEORY, 6. SUPERIOR FORCE & 5. LAGUNA VERDE

 

S2-5    Premiers Champion Stakes

 

COUSIN CASEY has been a revelation since being tried over ground and is unbeaten in his last three culminating in a smashing victory in the G2 Golden Horseshoe run on Durban July day.

It was a performance out of the top draw considering that he had to contend with a wide gate. Jockey Grant van Niekerk, aimed him wide off the final bend and COUSIN CASEY picked off his rivals with ease. He has drawn another wide gate which is not in his favour but given the ease of his last win the draw and the extra 200m are well within his compass.

Runner-up that day, ROYAL VICTORY started at long odds and also arrived on the scene late although the winning margin of 0.90 was a little flattering. He shed his maiden over the course and distance at second time of asking so there are no stamina doubts. Journeyman rider Robert Khathi has given way to S’Manga Khumalo.

Muzi Yeni is six winners short of riding 2000 and has an enviable record in feature events. He will have had the choice of a number of mounts but has stuck with QUANTUM THEORY who shed his maiden in the Highveld Winter Juvenile Stakes and followed up with an even more impressive performance. The trip will hold no fears and he has a plum draw.

SUPERIOR FORCE has never finished out of the money and has been runner-up to COUSIN CASEY on two occasions. You ignore him at your peril.

There should not be much between QUANTUM THEORY and LAGUNA VERDE but the former has the better draw which could make the difference.

SELECTIONS: 9. COUSIN CASEY, 2. ROYAL VICTORY, 1. QUANTUM THEORY, 6. SUPERIOR FORCE & 5. LAGUNA VERDE

 

S2-6    Mercury Sprint

 

The G1 Mercury Sprint could be the defining race of the season in the voting for Equus Champion Sprinter. The current racing season officially ends on 31 July but the final big race day is the Champions Cup Day on 30 July. The day boasts a feast of racing and is arguably the most important raceday on the calendar.

With a coveted Equus award at stake it will be a tense paddock that watches the 14 riders mount up and go to the Mercury Sprint.

The big question is whether to give star filly CAPTAIN’S RANSOM another chance after her disappointing effort in the G1 Garden Province Stakes. She won the G2 Fillies Guineas at Greyville last season but it may be telling that two defeats have come on this right-handed track. There is no doubting her ability as she showed a blinding turn of foot when winning the G1 South African Fillies Sprint over 1,200m down the Scottsville straight but that acceleration was missing in the 1,600m Garden Province Stakes where she was left alone towards the back of the field but did not find her usual kick for home.

Paul Peter broke the South African record for the number of winners trained in a season, 218 at last count, and holds a strong hand with four runners of which MASTER ARCHIE and BIG BURN look the pick. MASTER ARCHIE has Equus claims after winning the G1 Computaform Sprint where BIG BURN finished runner-up and was just 1.6 length back to CAPTAIN’S RANSOM in the South African Fillies Sprint. MASTER ARCHIE had no answers to WILLIAM ROBERTSON when last they met in the 1,100m Durban Dash and Corne Spies’s runner franked that form before a disappointing effort from a wide draw in the G2 Post Merchants. There doesn’t look to be much between these two.

ALESIAN CHIEF is a bull of a horse and by all accounts a handful on the home gallops. He enjoyed the extra 200m when winning the G1 Golden Horse Sprint and teams up with in form rider Muzi Yeni who is close to landing the 2000th winner of his career.  If he handles the turn, ALESIAN CHIEF could well prove to be the horse to beat.

SELECTIONS: 5. ALESIAN CHIEF, 3. CAPTAIN’S RANSOM, 10. WILLIAM ROBERTSON, 8. MASTER ARCHIE & 2. BIG BURN

 

2ND DOUBLE TRIO SELECTIONS (36 unit bets):
S2-6:  
Banker – 5. ALESIAN CHIEF
Selections – 3. CAPTAIN’S RANSOM, 10. WILLIAM ROBERTSON, 8. MASTER ARCHIE & 2. BIG BURN
S2-7:  
Banker – 4. NEBRAAS
Selections – 7. ARAGOSTA, 5. BLACK THORN, 11. DECORATED & 13. OUT OF YOUR LEAGUE

 

S2-7    Greyville Gold Cup

 

Anything can happen over the 3,200m trip but the Sean Tarry-trained pair of NEBRAAS and BLACK THORN will have many supporters.

NEBRAAS was voted stayer of the year after winning this race and although he has to carry 16lbs more than he shouldered last year, he is still very well in. His recent form under jockey Richard Fourie has been outstanding, winning the Highveld’s top staying race, the G3 Gold Bowl beating BLACK THORN and then following up with another comfortable victory in a Pinnacle Stakes race over 2,400m. He warmed up nicely for the Gold Cup in another Pinnacle Stakes over 2,400m and should strip at his peak here.

BLACK THORN is unbeaten in two starts since fini shing behind NEBRAAS in the Gold Bowl and kept finding all the way to the line to win the G3 Gold Vase over 3,000m at Greyville. Keagan de Melo, stable rider to Dean Kannemeyer, was given the green light to ride BLACK THORN ahead of stable charge REX UNION which has left Kannemeyer casting around for a replacement rider.

Mike de Kock has an enviable record in the race and saddles G1 SA Derby winner ARAGOSTA. The Derby was his first venture over the trip and he stayed on strongly to claim victory. In both subsequent outings over shorter, he appeared to lack the finishing burst of his rivals, running a one-paced ninth in the G1 Durban July, nearly six lengths behind winner and stable companion SPARKLING WATER. Although he goes the 3,200m for the first time he gives the impression that he will stay the distance comfortably.

One is never quite sure which IMPERIAL RUBY will pitch up on the day but he showed signs of life when third behind BLACK THORN and REX UNION last start and will be in good order.

DECORATED will be one of the longer priced runners but Frank Robinson has earmarked this race for his charge from a long way back and he won well enough last time out to suggest that Robinson will not be far off the mark.

OUT OF YOUR LEAGUE has shown dismal form this season but did finish third in this race last year. Fitted with a tongue-tie for the first time last time out, he showed major improvement. He stays the trip well and could be the surprise package.

SELECTIONS: 4. NEBRAAS, 7. ARAGOSTA, 5. BLACK THORN, 11. DECORATED & 13. OUT OF YOUR LEAGUE

 

S2-8    HKJC World Pool Champions Cup

 

S’Manga Khumalo’s decision to ride SPARKLING WATER in preference to JET DARK in the G1 Durban July did not go down well with Justin Snaith as the talented rider had partnered JET DARK to two G1 success for the stable, including the G1 HKJC World Pool Champions Cup.

In an ironic twist, Khumalo’s has been replaced on JET DARK by Richard Fourie this year with Mike de Kock booking Khumalo for G1 Gold Challenge winner AL MUTHANA in a race where JET DARK finished third. Fourie was aboard AL MUTHANA that afternoon and will be bidding for his eighth G1 success of the season on JET DARK.

JET DARK has not garnered the pubic adulation of some of his rivals possibly because the record of last season’s Champion Miler is peppered with some low-key efforts in races he was expected to win. But Snaith is on record as saying that JET DARK takes time to warm up after a lay-off and needs at least two starts to get his engine firing on all cylinders.

This was born out in the lead up to this year’s July where he turned in – for him – a disappointing effort in the G2 Drill Hall Stakes and only got going late in the G1 Gold Challenge, beaten less than a length by AL MUTHANA. Although subsequently beaten in the July, he was giving the winner 14lbs and as is his want, he came from well back to out-point the rest of the field.

As was the case last year, Snaith has included the natural front-runner CROWN TOWERS as pacemaker and in a small field of 9, JET DARK should have it all his own way.

There is little to choose between perennial rivals LINEBACKER and KOMMETDIEDING, although the latter is in front on current form and results. Vaughan Marshal had LINEBACKER primed for the G1 Durban July after finishing a close-up second to AL MUTHANA in the G1 Gold Challenge but the gelding did not get the best of passages and finished down-field. While it is dangerous to make excuses for beaten horses, this run was so far below par that it is best ignored.

Taking horses from Cape Town to the rarefied air of the Highveld is not easily done as Cape-based horses seldom produce their best. This was seemingly the case with G1 The Met winner KOMMETDIEDING who put in two below par performances.

That opinion was seemingly born out with KOMMETDIEDING four lengths back in fifth in the Durban July. But back at sea level with that run under his girth, he could well strip a serious threat to JET DARK who he meets on the same weight terms as the Durban July and The Met where he beat JET DARK.

LINEBACKER finished ahead of JET DARK in the Gold Challenge at level weights.

Gold Challenge winner AL MUTHANA is 4lbs worse off with JET DARK on their Durban July performance but like LINEBACKER, finished ahead of JET DARK in the Gold Challenge at level weights.

The balance of the field, while smart in their own right, look a cut below the above mentioned.

SELECTIONS: 5. JET DARK, 4. KOMMETDIEDING, 8. LINEBACKER, 6. AL MUTHANA & 7. MK'S PRIDE

 

TREBLE SELECTIONS (27 unit bets):
S2-8: Multiple – 5. JET DARK, 4. KOMMETDIEDING & 8. LINEBACKER
S2-9: Multiple – 10. MARINA, 6. PINK TOURMALINE & 2. MONASHADA
S2-10: Multiple – 3. AFTER THE RAIN, 5. ISIVUNGUVUNGU & 4. MOUNT PLEASANT

 

S2-9    Gold Bracelet

 

The Brett Crawford-trained PINK TOURMALINE is a giant of a filly and she ran out a smart winner of the G2 Track And Ball Oaks beating the smart 3YO LIGHT OF THE MOON. Prior to that she was a close-up third to star filly RAIN IN HOLLAND. She is well in at these weights and should be right there.

MARINA was deemed by many a little unlucky not to make the July field and ran a cracker from the widest draw in the G1 Garden Province Stakes. She steps up to what will be a more suitable trip and is weighted to win.

MONASHADA has steady form and ran a cracker in the G1 Woolavington 2000 where she only tired late. The stable believes that she only has the two above mentioned fillies to beat.

LYRICAL DANCE is way better than her last two. The stable rider is back on board and she rates a money chance at long odds.

SILVER MARIA should battle at the weights but is never far back. She stays the trip well and has a money chance.

SPRINKLES was unlucky to be born in the same year as RAIN IN HOLLAND but is smart. She was finishing well in first time blinkers over course and distance last time out and can finally be rewarded for a consistent season.

SCENTED MISTRESS and course specialist KAILENE are others to consider.

SELECTIONS: 10. MARINA, 6. PINK TOURMALINE, 2. MONASHADA, 1. LYRICAL DANCE & 7. SILVER MARIA

 

S2-10  Umngeni Handicap  

 

The Listed Umngeni Handicap over 1,000m is a tough race to round off the day.

The striking grey, almost white, AFTER THE RAIN tries the poly. He is a strong front runner and if allowed to get away on this surface he will be difficult to peg back.

ISIVUNGUVUNGU had it difficult from a wide gate and a big field in the G2 Post Merchants and had no luck in running. Prior to that he was running on strongly when third behind WILLIAM ROBERTSON and MASTER ARCHIE, both G1 performers. He has gone close over course and distance and you should get a run for your money.

MOUNT PLEASANT tries the poly for the first time. His form is a little patchy of late but he is way better than his last run and the switch of surface could bring out the best in him.

The filly CASA INVERNO faces her toughest task to date but was game under a big weight in a tough handicap and could round off a record season for trainer Paul Peter.

VASEEM has come to hand nicely since a break and has his peak run for veteran trainer Roy Magner.

SELECTIONS: 3. AFTER THE RAIN, 5. ISIVUNGUVUNGU, 4. MOUNT PLEASANT, 10. CASA INVERNO & 7. VASEEM

 

 

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