It is tough to look past the brilliant Futura for the Gr 1 Rising Sun Gold Challenge at Greyville on Saturday, but the Gr 3 Cup Trial, which provides a last gasp opportunity for horses to qualify for the Vodacom Durban July, is conversely a very open affair.
Sean Cormack rode Futura for the first time last month and interestingly he also first rode the brilliant Beach Beauty in the May of her four-year-old season. Futura and Beach Beauty are both by Dynasty and have many similarities, including fantastic temperament and tremendous acceleration, so it is easy to envision another great partnership developing.
Legislate at his best will be a serious threat. He is another progeny of Dynasty that has class and acceleration and he loves Greyville. Only the race will tell whether the serious lung infection that blighted his L’Ormarin’s Queen’s Plate chances has had any long term affect, but otherwise the layoff should not be a disadvantage as he has run well fresh before.
Willow Magic runs over 1600m for the first time since his commanding victory in the Investec Dingaans 19 months ago. He has class, will be suited to Greyville due to his speed and turn of foot, and has a plum draw of three.
Ice Machine beat the best when winning the Green Point over 1600m last season and he was equally brilliant when winning the Gr 2 IOS Drill Hall Stakes over 1400m at Greyville last time out. He is not the soundest but is said to be moving well at present and at best will be finishing like a train.
King Of Pain also has the ability to put in a winning performance on his day, although he is none to reliable. He defends his crown here and the yard are hopeful that he has turned the corner as he has been doing well at Summerveld.
Bouclette Top has been given a new lease on life with blinkers and will have come on from his Drill Hall second. He could be the most dangerous outsider over a suitable trip especially if he settles better than he did in the Drill Hall. Trainer Alec Laird and jockey Weichong Marwing will be looking for a second Gr 1 surprise at Greyville in the space of a week.
The rest of the field , No Worries, Night Trip, Ze Kaiser, Ashton Park, Halve The Deficit and Bezanova, will not be disgraced in what should be a humdinger.
Futura is tipped to beat Legislate, Willow Magic, Ice Machine and Bouclette Top.
Kochka is the class act in the Gr 3 Cup Trial over 1800m and looks well weighted, so from a good draw over a suitable trip he can use his powerful finish to mow them down and book his place in the Vodacom.
Whiteline Fever only ran out of steam late in the Gr 2 Betting Word 1900 and is now better drawn over a slightly shorter trip and has come down two points in the merit ratings.
Dynamic ran a cracker in the Betting World 1900 and can do the same here in his third run after a rest.
Punta Arenas is a resolute galloper and is used to wide draws over this sort of trip.
Dynastic Power showed his class when winning the 1900 and it would be no surprise to see him follow up as that was his first run after a layoff.
Helderberg Blue can be a contender here if able to find a handy position, although he does look a touch high in the merit ratings.
Athina is a talented Gr 1 winner over this distance but has not had an ideal preparation.
Bold Inspiration can do better than he did in the 1900 if able to stride out at a decent gallop.
The Hangman’s has shown that he can be effective over middle distances, but finding necessary cover from draw nine will be tricky.
It Is Written could surprise if enjoying a more trouble free run than he did in the 1900.
Gold Onyx, Beewithme and Wild One are likely to need their runs.
They are selected in the order mentioned.
Same Jurisdicton sauntered home when running fresh in the Flamboyant Stakes over 1600m at Greyville and could do the same in the Gr 2 Tibouchina Stakes over 1400m. This is a lot tougher field, but she oozes class and can put the bad luck of her Highveld campaign behind her. One Fine Day is drawn in pole and if she jumps well her blistering turn of foot could carry her close. Hammie’s Hooker put up a career best performance in last season’s Jonsson Workwear Garden Province Stakes over 1600m at Greyvillle and should run a cracker in preparation for the defence of her crown, although she hasn’t enjoyed as good a preparation as last year. Jet Aglow has been livened up by blinkers and it would be no surprise to see her winning. Maybe Yes loves to get on with it and won’t be easy to catch over her probable favourite trip. Red Flame has the class to feature and Ataab and Banbury can’t be written off either.
Lineker looks the one to beat in the Listed Gatecrasher Stakes over 1400m after his impressive display on debut over 1200 and he has drawn well in three.
Ninefold could get the better of Flying Fiona and Flying Ice in the Listed Devon Air Stakes over 1400m.
Afrikaburn has had two grass gallops so should be fit enough to win the Non-Black Type Durban Dash over 1100 on the polytrack.
The third race over 1200m on the poly could be won by Grey Light, who appears to love this surface and would have come on from her eyecatching last start.
By David Thiselton
Picture: Futura (Nkosi Hlophe)
