The Dennis Drier yard are expecting a big run from Sail in the Gr 3 Umzimkhulu Stakes over 1400m at Greyville on Sunday.
However, the noises from the Paul Gadsby yard are not as bullish for their Gr 1 winner Gunner, who runs in the Gr 3 Byerley Turk Stakes over the same course and distance.
Sail (Nkosi Hlophe)
Stuart Ferrie, assistant to Drier reckoned the 1400m trip was just about Sail’s optimum and said, “There are just limited opportunities over this trip. She is fit and well and will be ready.”
Drier also runs the classy The High Life.
However, Ferrie said, “It is a bit sharp for her, but we have to get her going somewhere.”
Ferrie concluded, “Sail is the right one.”
The last time Sail went this trip she beat the Gr 1 winner The Secret Is Out by two lengths at Kenilworth, although she was receiving 3kg. The classy Philanthropist filly subsequently finished a fine fourth from a wide draw in the Gr 1 WSB Cape Fillies Guineas and she was far from disgraced in both the Gr 1 Maine Chance Farms Paddock Stakes and Gr 1 Klawervlei Majorca Stakes over 1800m and 1600m respectively. On Sunday she jumps from a plum draw of two and should go close.
The High Life has won her last two starts over 1800m and 2000m respectively at Kenilworth.and shouldn’t be ignored on Sunday running fresh as she has a fine turn of foot.
Paul Gadsby said the Gimmethegrenlight gelding Gunner had had a “few little problems” which the yard were now on top of. However, he added he would not be “100% wound up”. He said the going had been a bit hard for Gunner down in Cape Town. He also pointed out his form had not stood up too well. Furthermore, from his wide draw he would have to be ridden “from off them” on Sunday.
However, Gadsby concluded, “He is not the biggest, but he is a genuine horse with a big heart and we have always thought a lot of him. Sunday’s run will show us where we are at with him.”
Gunner showed a terrific turn of foot when winning the Gr 1 Premiers Champion Stakes over 1600m last season.
Gadsby expected a big run from On Your Life in the third race on Sunday and said his last run had been “all wrong”.
By David Thiselton
