Mike Azzie was not bullish about the chances of his three-year-old Tiger Ridge gelding Isphan ahead of the Gr 1 Mercury Sprint over 1200m at Greyville on Saturday.
He said, “He’s very well and in good shape but it’s a very, very strong field and I will be happy if he places.”
Isphan was caught wide early when running a decent 2,6 length fifth in the Gr 2 Post Merchants over the course and distance. However, he faces all three of the horses that finished over two lengths ahead of him, Daring Dave, Moofeed and Willow Magic, on only 0,5kg better terms, while other even classier sorts like Captain Of All and Carry On Alice are also now in play. Furthermore he is drawn wide in 9 in the 11 horse field. Last time out he was well beaten over 1200m on the poly on Vodacom Durban July day, but his regular rider Gavin Lerena is now back aboard.
A few of Azzie’s runners appeared to run a bit below par on July day, but they all returned normal.
Included among them was Frosted Honey, who now runs in the Gr 2 Debutante over 1200m on Saturday and will then go for the Gr 1 Thekwini Stakes over 1600m a week later.
Azzie said, “I was a little disappointed with Frosted Honey’s run (4,8 length 12th in the Gr 1 Zulu Kingdom Explorer Golden Slipper over 1400m), I would have expected her to run better, but in saying that she did have a setback when she got to KZN and I think we were chasing the eight ball with her all the time. She has come on a lot from that run and will be in better shape for her next start.”
He said, “Deputy Jud wasn’t given the best ride, it was probably one of Corne’s (Orffer) worst rides ever, to go that pace in a July handicap is absolutely ridiculous, you can’t set those fractions and expect a horse to find, so his July run can be written off, he’s a much better horse than that and I’m sure he’s going to bounce back. He’s definitely going to run in the Champions Cup, but in saying that the weights don’t suit him, but he will be right there.”
He was very disappointed with Hot August’s run in the KZN Yearling Sales Million and said, “He might have to be gelded later on, I’m going to take him home and have a look at him and see where we are with him. That run is not what he shows us on the track.”
Rock Me Var was another disappointment on July day and will be taken home to the Highveld and given his African Horse Sickness vaccinations.
However, Azzie will have a strong hand in the Gr 1 Premier’s Champions Stakes over 1600m on Super Saturday (July 25) with the outstanding prospect Rabada and the exciting Abashiri, as well as High Game, who improved to win his fourth start, over 1400m at Scottsville, by seven lengths.
By David Thiselton
Picture: Mike Azzie
