National Champion Trainer elect Sean Tarry has two runners in the Gr 1 eLan Property Group Gold Cup over 3200m on Super Saturday at Greyville and contests all three of the other Gr 1s on the card too.

He said, “Gold Onyx was very unlucky in the July and would have been beaten a few lengths at the most. He seems to have come on from that run and I don’t think the draw is a problem as he will come from off them. It’s a big ask to give a horse like Wild One 5kg but he is well.

“Kolkata improved last time, although maybe not as much as we expected, but he is definitely on the up and could still improve a few lengths. It doesn’t look like he’s where he was when running second in the Gold Cup in 2011, but I’m happy to have got him in with a low weight and a good draw. He’s had a reasonable prep, but I can’t give real confidence.”

In the Gr 1 Thekwini over 1600m he runs Old Em, who is by Trippi out of the Tarry-trained sprinting type Lady Bequick. Her form over 1160m has worked out well, considering the horse that beat her by a head last time, Sapsan, went on finish third in the Gr 1 Zulu Kingdom Explorer Golden Slipper over 1400m last time out.

He said, “She’s a very good filly and she’s in good shape. We’re taking a chance with a mile. Her mother being by National Assembly was a sprint type both physically and in races, whereas she has a little more scope and on the female line she will stay the trip. But she also has a lot of speed so it’s no guarantee she will get the mile.

“However, I believe if you can settle a filly like this and come from off them she can see it out.”

He has four runners in the Gr 1 Premier’s Champions Stakes over 1600m and said, “Malak El Moolook has done very well and his work has been exceptional. It was a bit short last time on the poly but for that type of stake money we had to take a chance and at least he’s had a look at the surroundings. It’s the right course and distance and I expect a good showing. Escape Route is trying the blinkers, because he gets lost early in his races and gives away too much start. If he doesn’t travel with them it’s hard to come from last at Greyville against this class of horse. He’s in good shape and he’s a class horse and if he can make use of his draw I think he will be in the finish.

“Rikitikitana is a maiden but did run against winners last time and from a hopeless position ran on strongly. He’s getting better and stronger and is a nice type of a horse who puts up good work. Captain’s Causeway won his maiden well on the sand. He’s the right type of horse for this race, but is a little behind where he should be for a race like this and is drawn badly, but we’re taking our chances.

“On work my stable elect would definitely be Malak El Moolook, although Escape Route’s got a bit of class, so has Captain’s Causeway and Rikitikitana’s last run was very impressive. But they are all under pressure to get near Rabada.”

He runs Halve The Deficit and Willow Magic in the Gr 1 Champions Cup and said, “It is a tough race. Halve The Deficit came out of the July well and I would say he’s in as good shape for this race if not better. I don’t think he will have any problem with the course and distance and he’s got a good draw. Willow Magic will obviously be stretched by the 1800 but at the same time he’s shown that the 1200m is a bit on the sharp side now. He’s only run twice over a mile and won the Dingaans and finished second to Legislate. He was nice and relaxed in the Mercury Sprint, maybe too relaxed, but maybe it served as a gallop for this weekend. Let’s hope he’s as relaxed in this race.”

The yard run Amber Orchid and Enchanted Silk in the Gr 2 Gold Bracelet over 2000m. Tarry said, “Amber Orchid has a touch of class and I think she can be competitive. She has it all to do but we’ve sidestepped a few races just to aim at this one. She went through a stage where she lost her form, but recently she’s been very honest. Enchanted Silk is out at the weights and it’s a week after her last run, but we’re taking our chances. She’s a difficult filly and in retrospect it was a mistake to put a new rider on last time for the first time. S’Manga and Raymond (Danielson, who rides) both know her well and are the two guys who have done best on her.”

He runs In Other Words in the second race over 1400m on the poly and said, “She’s probably one of my better runners on the day and has been doing well and is drawn well and course and distance suited. She has to have a very good chance.”

In the third, a Juvenile Plate over 1900m on the turf, he runs Grey’s A Rockin’ and said, “He runs today (Tuesday) and we will have to see how he pulls up.”

In the fourth over 2400m on the turf he runs Golden High and said, “We’re taking a chance over 2400m. The whole family seem to get the trip and he’s disappointed me over less, so if he stays he will have a chance.”

By David Thiselton

Picture: Gold Onyx (Nkosi Hlophe)