David Thiselton

JUSTIN SNAITH said the decision to run Crown Towers in the Grade 1 WSB Summer Cup was largely as a show of support for the like of MOD (Mary Oppenheimer and Daughters), Mike de Kock and the RA, who had done a lot to save Cape racing.

He said, “They have always supported our racing and Mike de Kock has often said I am too scared to come up to Johannesburg but Crown Towers and Keep The Lights On (who runs in the Grade 3 WSB Magnolia Handicap) are just the first two, we are going to raid regularly from now on.”

Crown Towers was brought back down to Summerveld after his unplaced run in the Charity Mile.

Snaith said, “That was a bit on the short side, he has always been more impressive over further.”

Snaith said it had not been easy to prepare him because of the amount of rain there had been at Summerveld, but he added this had just made it more challenging and it was not going to change his chances.

He said, “I am very happy with his preparation. Whether he is good enough to win it, time will tell.”

He is also happy with Keep The Lights On and gives her a shout.

Snaith could not use the usual method of traveling the horses overnight and arriving on the morning of the race because of recent incidents of unrest on the Highway at night.

The pair of horses thus arrived in Johannesburg today (Friday).

A point in their favour is the rain that is around. Wet weather is believed to make it easier for horses coming from the coast to handle the high altitude of the Highveld. It should also be born in mind that Summerveld is not at sea level but is in fact a third of the altitude of the Highveld and horses have traveled from there to win over long distances before.