Saturday’s R1-million Betting World Gauteng Guineas (Grade 2) over 1600m at Turffontein has an open look about it and trainer Mike de Kock’s assistant John Buckler summed up the general view of many camps, saying: “It’s a very competitive race with competitive horses.”
Buckler will saddle Suyoof (7-1 with Betting World) and Muwaary (10-1) in the first leg of the SA Triple Crown. Buckler says he would be more confident if Suyoof had drawn well in the big race. “It’s not going to be easy for him from No 16 draw. I’d be confident if he’d drawn in the first four. But he won a good race in the Tony Ruffel Stakes last time out and has improved since that run.”
Suyoof, returning from a two-month layoff, was not that well drawn in stall 10 of 13 in the Tony Ruffel Stakes but, as Buckler said: “It was a smaller field. He jumped slowly and managed to get in. I don’t know if Anthony Delpech can slot him in again.”
Buckler believes Muwaary, the mount of Callan Murray, might not be quite at best in his first run in three months. “He hasn’t had a prep run since coming back from Cape Town and it’s hard to say if that will affect him. Horses always seem to improve after a run, especially if they’ve been to Cape Town and back. But he galloped well last Saturday and is well in himself.”
Persian Rug is the De Kock stable’s representative in the R500,000 Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas and Buckler believes she might find the mile a bit sharp. “We threw her out after she finished a well-beaten fourth behind Negroamaro in November and she ran a nice race on her comeback in the Three Troikas Stakes, when beaten only three lengths by Madame Dubois.
“She seems to have lost that early toe but has definitely improved since the Three Troikas Stakes.
“The 1600m might be a bit sharp for her – the 1800m of the SA Fillies Classic and 2450m of the SA Oaks will be right up her alley – so if she runs a place we’ll be happy.”
Jayyed will be trying further again in the Grade 2 1400m Hawaii Stakes after running pleasing races over 1200m in his last two starts. “He’s working well and will be competitive if he keeps rolling over the extra 200m,” said Buckler.
TABnews
Picture: Suyoof (JC photos)
