Mark van Deventer

COMMITTED horseplayers will savour a mouth-watering menu on Saturday at Kenilworth with a stakes-laden card of Graded races. Top billing is the Grade 1 World Sports Betting Cape Fillies Guineas, backed up by a couple of potent Gr2’s – the historic, Green Point Stakes and Southern Cross Stakes. By throwing in additional Pinnacle and Conditions events catering for quality thoroughbreds, programmers have enticed many of the Cape’s best horses with high level aspirations into action.

These superior showdowns are staged over a variety of distances. The Southern Cross (which appears at the mercy of outstanding mare, Run Fox Run) is a 1000m dash for speedballs; the Fillies Guineas and Green Point are staged over the Classic trip of 1600m, with the Gr3 Cape Summer Stayers giving hardy local endurance runners a chance to shine over 2500m.

Trainer Justin Snaith, who has his string in fine fettle (8 of the last 30 saddled have won), holds a strong hand in the Fillies Guineas. Captain’s Ransom looks especially formidable after outrunning multiple Gr1-winning mare, Clouds Unfold in the Diana Stakes over 1400m two months ago. This daughter of Captain Al now stretches out over a slightly longer trip – should she cope with that task and be able to produce the same sizzling come-home sectionals set over extended sprints, then she may well prove best.

Stable companion Dazzling Sun (by Camelot) duffed her penultimate when physically out of sorts, then quickly redeemed herself by pulverizing subsequent winner, Pink Tourmaline over the course and distance in mid-November. She has serious upside potential.

Princess Calla is also a live threat. She was visually impressive in the Fillies Classic when cruising to a facile victory over another re-opposing Snaith entry, the pacesetting, Trickster. Jockey Craig Zackey should be able to work out a favourable trip on this Flower Alley filly from draw 2.

Zarina, was another left gurgling in Princess Calla’s wake in that same October showdown, yet it may be an error of judgement to downgrade her claims too harshly. She possesses great determination and has potent acceleration – Candice Bass-Robinson rates her as marginally the best of her three entries. Young apprentice, Joshwin Solomons has the uncanny knack of getting horses to really run for him so he deservedly gets his shot at Gr1 glory on this feisty daughter of Master Of My Fate.

Lemon Delight and Chat Ching are Bass-Robinson’s other runners. The former ran on best of all from a hopeless position clocking in five lengths off Seeking The Stars in the RTR Stakes. She is again drawn out wide which makes life awkward even with the longer 600m run-in on the Summer course, but based on steady collateral form behind Captain’s Ransom, Zarina and Princess Calla are entitled to get into the fray.

Chat Ching, a winner of two from three starts, is harder to assess. Despite a tardy start, she won fluently over the course and distance just a month ago, albeit it in a lower grade handicap. Senior pilot, Aldo Domeyer, who has won both times on her, will be looking to extend their perfect sequence – a daunting mission though, against far stronger rivals.

Master conditioner, Mike de Kock, has a tremendous record in Gr1’s. He raids from Johannesburg with Due Diligence who has run her best races pressing the pace. The Silvano filly appears slightly shy on the speed figures required to actually win this, and might be vulnerable over the final stages to superior finishers, yet it’s conceivable that she keeps on for a medal if the early fractions are soft.

David Thiselton

LUKE FERRARIS was at his South African Jockeys Academy residence two or three weeks ago when receiving a phone call out of the blue from trainer Eric Sands to ask him to ride Rainbow Bridge in the Grade 2 Green Point Stakes.

It was a big moment for the twice South African champion apprentice, who will become a fully fledged jockey on January 10 next year.

Sands, the ultimate professional, plans his big horses’ chief targets from a long way out and whilst he could have kept Rainbow Bridge’s incumbent jockey Warren Kennedy aboard for the Green Point he knew the latter would likely be unavailable for the Sun Met due to his association with the Paul Peter yard and Equus Horse Of The Year Summer Pudding.

Six-year-old Rainbow Bridge has only had 18 career starts and Ferraris will become the seventh jockey to ride him.

Sands made his point about jockey changes quite clear earlier this year.

He said, “If jockeys don’t come and ride work or put in the work I will take them off and I will also take them off if they are not suited to the horse. I don’t pay their rent and they don’t pay mine.”

Young Ferraris has a chance to grab a golden opportunity with both hands because Sands has already displayed his loyalty to  jockeys who fulfill his criteria.

At the height of the Covid-19 pandemic Sands had to look beyond the top echelon to find a rider for Golden Ducat and after two great rides in the Vodacom Durban July and the Grade 1 WSB Champions Cup Donavan Dillon has been kept aboard.

Ferraris has already fulfilled the first criterium by going down to Cape Town to ride Rainbow Bridge in work “a few times”.

If he passes the acid test in Saturday’s race he could find himself aboard the Ideal World gelding for two of the country’s biggest races, the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate and the Sun Met.

Rainbow Bridge could well be the best horse in the country over 2000m and this opinion is backed up by a fascinating fact unearthed by racing statistician Jay August.

The Hollywoodbets Greyville course record for 2000m of 119.6 seconds has stood for more than 20 years, set by London News in 1996, but August measured Rainbow Bridge going through 2000m in a similar time in this year’s blisteringly fast Vodacom Durban July, and if anything it was marginally quicker. Those who believe he did not stay the 2200m trip will have to absorb that statistic and reassess his performance.

Ferraris, commenting on Rainbow Bridge’s main Green Point preparation gallop, said, “He felt good and finished the gallop well.”

Sands spoke earlier this week to Michele Wing Of Racing News Social TV and said Rainbow Bridge would be fitter than he was when winning the Grade 1 Rising Sun Gold Challenge but with the Queen’s Plate and the Met his main aims he would not be at his peak. He said his career showed that his second run after a layoff tended to be flat and this would unfortunately coincide with the Queen’s Plate as he missed an intended race two weeks ago due to a skin rash. He expected Rainbow Bridge to give a good account of himself on Saturday.

Ferraris has won one Grade 1 to date, the Allan Robertson on Miss Florida, but will have more than one opportunity to add to that number this Summer as he has kept the ride on the Mike de Kock-trained star Malmoos for the Grade 1 Cape Guineas.

He said this Captain Al colt’s recent work had been good and his win last time out in the Grade 2 Avontuur Estate Concorde Cup had been particularly impressive as he “was still green”.

Ferraris is hoping to land the South African Apprentice Championship for a third time and looks likely to do so.

With a month to go before his apprenticeship ends he has ridden 49 winners and is 30 clear of the pair in joint second place, Joshwin Solomons and Kyle Strydom. The latter pair will have the opportunity to make up the leeway from January 10 next year until July 31, but both will have to increase their respective strike rates to overtake the target Ferraris will set.

Ferraris’ ultimate aim is to ride in Hong Kong but he called that a “long term goal.”

His parents David and Pam follow his career very closely from Hong Kong where David is a prominent trainer.

However, his chief critic is his legendary grandfather Ormond.

The unflappable Luke was asked to confirm that the latter’s criticism was constructive and he replied, “Sometimes”.

So, it would appear he has a good mixture of willingness to learn and self-confidence, two normal ingredients in the making of a champion.

The St John Gray home-bred Ronnies Candy was voted Horse of the Year at the KZN Breeders Awards that took place at the Nottingham Road Hotel on the evening of 4 December with 60 guests in attendance. Winners of each category in Red. 

David Thiselton

PUNTERS were thrown a curve ball on Saturday when it appeared the going down the straight at the Summer Cup meeting appeared to be the opposite to what it normally is so it is tough to predict what will happen in the straight course races in tomorrow’s Standside meeting.

The high draws are usually favourable down the straight, especially when there has been rain, but on Saturday those drawn high appeared to be battling to go through with their efforts and low drawn horses if anything were at an advantage instead of their normal disadvantage.

Where the going will be today is of importance considering the last leg of the Pick 6 is over 1000m.

This is a Classified Stakes race so it is based on nett merit rated bands and females also receive a 1,5kg allowance. 

May Queen’s 74 merit rating is in the top band from 72 to 75 who are allotted 62kg, but the allowance means she carries 60.5kg. She won her maiden over this trip and followed up by winning over this course and distance by 0,20 lengths off a 70 merit rating. She is now four points higher but in that last win she beat Mind Reader by 0,80 lengths when receiving 2kg and the latter then came out and beat Touch Of Fate by 0,25 lengths when giving the latter 2.5kg. As May Queen only has to give Touch Of Fate half-a-kilogram tomorrow she should beat him on paper. She looks to be a solid progressive filly who possesses plenty of natural speed although the best scenario for her s a strong pace as she is usually not quickly away and she likes to take a sit while striding out. She should enjoy this course and distance then as it is a fast track so the leaders usually go at a strong clip.

Touch Of Fate is the second selection based on his suitability to the minimum trip and he is a progressive sprinter. In his penultimate start nothing went his way from the widest draw of all over 1000m at Turffontein Inside and the rider eventually did not persevere. The 5,50 length eighth did not tell the full story so he was allowed to go off at 12/1 odds last week over 1000m at the Vaal and he was just touched off by 0,25 lengths by Mind Reader. He has been given a two point raise for that run but as he finished second and the weights were already out he will run off his old mark so is effectively 1kg well in. The question is whether his low draw of two will be favourable as it was on Saturday, or will it revert to being unfavourable. The other negative is that the in-form Muzi Yeni, who rode him in his last start, will not be aboard but instead rides Winter’s Power. The latter finished a four length seventh in his first start out of the maidens in a 1000m handicap when well drawn on Turffontein Inside and he runs off the same mark again here. He does not have as good a chance as Touch Of Fate.

Three-year-old Gang Leader got a bad start over this course and distance last time, losing two lengths, and still finished just a length back. With Kennedy now aboard he has a shout as an improving sort whose nett merit rating of 71 falls at top of one of the bands. His connections will be going with the high draws which are favourable as he in barrier eleven out of the 15 runners. Track And Ball make him second favourite at 13-2.

Kwite A Trip, whose 75 nett merit rating puts him at the top of the topweight band, is a long-striding sort who has plenty of scope for improvement and he possesses plenty of speed so he is a worthy favourite. He finished just 1,55 lengths behind the decent Thumbs Up last time over 1100m when receiving 2.5kg plus a further 2.5kg claim and considering he made a breathing noise the drop down to 1000m should suit.

Afriel is the third favourite at 7/1 and is a most interesting runner considering he lost three lengths last time but was beaten only half-a-length. He was half-a-length ahead of Gang Leader and faces him on 1kg worse terms this time if the apprentice claims from last time are ignored, although that weight swing merely represents the weight for age difference between November and December, Afriel being a four-year-old and Gang Leader a three-year-old. 

Bridge Of Spies was also in the mix in that race and faces Afriel on the same terms, if apprentice claims are ignored, having been beaten by the slow starting latter by 0,20 lengths.

Florence will have a chance if producing her best as she is 1,5kg better off with May Queen for a neck beating over this trip, although if apprentice Syster’s claim, which has changed from 2.5kg to 1.5kg, is taken into account she is only half-a-kilogram better off. She is not the most consistent though.

Big City Girl is an interesting runner as she ran on well to score in her maiden over this trip, but this does look stronger. 

Soul Connection was disappointing last time when beaten 2,25 lengths by Gang Leader and 2,75 lengths by Afriel but he is capable and could bounce back. Ramsay won his maiden in his 8th start on the Hollywoodbets Greyville poly so doesn’t make much appeal. 

Alex The Great beat Touch Of F three runs ago but was well beaten by him last time and if apprentice claims are ignored is now only 1.5kg better off for a 4,50 length beating, although he is always capable of popping up. 

Karin B is another who won her maiden on the Hollywoodbets Greyville poly and it was in her 18th start, although officially she is the best weighted runner. 

Duet’s four lengths fourth to Written In Stone last time in his first stat on the Highveld under similar conditions was a fine effort although and he could earn with a repeat despite officially being 3kg under sufferance with Karin B if apprentice claims are ignored. 

Roksolana is raced wide last time so could do better and is another who can’t be ignored for a place as she finished only 1,50 lengths behind May Queen three runs ago over this trip.  

CAPE RACING has been in discussions with the NHRA regarding the possible temporary suspension of the movement of horses, locally and nationally.

Horses currently racing in the Western Cape have valid movement permits until 31 December 2020. Racing will continue as normal and discussions with SA Equine Health Protocols (SAEHP), Department of Agriculture (DALRRD) and the NHRA will be ongoing until a solution for the movement of horses is established.

Today’s meeting at Kenilworth will go ahead as planned.

Horses currently racing in the Western Cape have valid movement permits until 31 December 2020. Racing will continue as normal and discussions with SA Equine Health Protocols (SAEHP), Department of Agriculture (DALRRD) and the NHRA will be ongoing until a solution for the movement of horses is established.

Today’s meeting at Kenilworth will go ahead as planned.”

David Thiselton

WINTER SMOKE has been nominated for the Grade 2 Southern Cross Stakes to be run over 1000m at Kenilworth on December 12 after winning the Grade 3 WSB Magnolia Handicap over 1160m in fine style at Turffontein Standside on Saturday.

Trainer Ashley Fortune said the three-year-old What A Winter filly had taken the run well.

She will monitor how she has pulled up and see what the opposition looks like before deciding in consultation with the partners whether to travel.

If she does travel she will stay on in Cape Town to also take in the Grade 2 Cartier Sceptre Stakes over 1200m on the first day of the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate festival on January 8 next year.

However, her chief target for the season will be the Grade 1 City Of Pietermaritzburg Fillies Sprint over 1200m at Scottsville on June 5 next year.

“She deserves a Grade 1,” said Fortune.

She added there would be many options for her before that date and a distinct possibility would be a tilt at the Grade 1 Computaform Sprint over 1000m on May 1 next year.

Fortune believes 1200m is the pacey filly’s best trip but said she might be just as effective over 1000m. 

She said, “She fought the challengers off gamely on Saturday, but she has only ever been allowed to stride out freely over 1000m once (winning by 8,25 lengths on debut), so she could be just as good at that trip.”

On Saturday Winter Smoke was 0.5kg under sufferance carrying the minimum weight of 52kg and under Calvin Habib fended off four-year-old Gallic Princess, who carried 60.5kg, to win by 0,75 lengths. Double ‘O’ Eight finished a 1,25 length third carrying 53.5kg.

Winter Smoke was raised from 102 to 109 for the win and Gallic Princess was raised from 109 to 114.

Winter Smoke will thus have to show the normal weight for age improvement plus an additional 2.5kg to beat Gallic Princess in the SA Fillies Sprint if Saturday’s form is anything to go by. However, in her favour was that having led from the off she fought off Gallic Princess and was beginning to pull away at the line. 

The tough 1000m at Kenilworth should suit her and she should also enjoy the 1200m course at Scottsville. 

Both the Southern Cross and Sceptre are run under weight for age plus penalties conditions but the good news for her is that only Grade 1 and Grade 2 wins are penalised.   

David Thiselton

SUMMER PUDDING has “pulled up nicely” after her thrilling WSB Summer Cup victory and should soon be on her way to Cape Town.

Trainer Paul Peter said, “All things being equal she will go for the Paddock Stakes (on January 9). She might then go for the Sun Met, there is a long enough gap (three weeks), so we will monitor how she pulls up before deciding. But the Paddock is her main mission, it is every breeder’s dream to win the Paddock Stakes.”

If she wins the Paddock Stakes she will have made it ten wins from ten starts so her attempt at equalling the South African eleven race unbeaten record of Homeguard might happen in the Sun Met. 

Peter said it was unlikely his Grade 2 Dingaans winner Catch Twentytwo would be on the float to Cape Town and Dingaans runner up MK’s Pride will definitely not be.

He said, “I doubt Catch Twentytwo will go but we will keep our options open. The conditions on Saturday were testing.”

He reckoned the Elusive Fort gelding would not get much further than 1800m, although his style of running gave him a chance of getting that trip. He said, “His half-sister Fly Away holds the 1000m course record at The Vaal.”

MK’s Pride is going to be aimed at the Johannesburg season.

Peter celebrated Saturday’s momentous day with a supper with his family but was in bed early as he had to get up at 2 a.m. to transport Ideal Jet down to Hollywoodbets Scottsville.

“It was worth it because she won,” he said.

He said the feeling of winning the Summer Cup had been “mind boggling”.

He continued, “I finished second in this race once and even that was an unbelievable feeling. But growing up I could never have even dreamed I would one day win the Summer Cup let alone with such famous colours.” 

Peter had humble beginnings and grew up in a house ten minutes walk away from Turffontein racecourse.

He absolutely loved horses and would never miss a meeting even as an under age school kid.

He said, “Security eventually got tired of throwing me out but I had to keep a low profile on the course.”

His father loved the game too and he also used to go and see the horses at the stables with his Uncle.

Ormond Ferraris was always the trainer he followed most so it was ironic he inherited Summer Pudding from him upon his retirement and that the legendary trainer was to provide him with so much advice on conditioning her. Ferraris was not on course on Saturday but never misses a minute of the action on TV when Summer Pudding is competing.

Peter has taken the lead in the National Trainers Championship.

He concluded, “We want to keep it like that so will be trying to win the big ones.”   

David Thiselton

SUMMER PUDDING galloped in to the hearts of the nation yesterday with an emphatic victory in the Grade 1 WSB Summer Cup over 2000m at Turffontein Standside to give Paul Peter and Warren Kennedy their first win in Johannesburg’s biggest race.

The four-year-old daughter of Silvano had to break a Summer Cup weight carrying record for a female to do it and also had to overcome a wide draw but she made it look easy.

Her nine wins from nine starts is now just two short of the South African record unbeaten run of eleven set by Homeguard in the late 1960s.

The race had similarities to the Vodacom Durban July in that a pacemaker who was a stablemate of the eventual winner was sent out to set fast fractions.

Riverstown’s race record suggested he was best at 1400m to a mile so some wondered whether he was put in the Summer Cup as a hare and so it proved. He stayed out wide from his wide draw until he was in front. He then set fractions that were fast enough to draw the other front-running to handy types into going too quickly, thus nullifying their threat to Summer Pudding.

Kennedy had meanwhile expertly placed Summer Pudding midway through the field where she relaxed nicely.

The plan worked superbly especially considering one of the horses in the vanguard was the dangerous front-runner Running Brave.

This gallant mare cruised up to Crown Towers who had assumed the lead at the top of the straight after Riverstown had fallen away.

Last year’s winner Zillzaal was unable to go with the front two and neither could Tristful and Seven Patriots or Divine Odyssey who looked to have been ridden too handy for a closer.

Paul Peter had said one of the most pleasing aspects of Summer Pudding’s recent comeback run was the lack of the flat spot she had usually hit at the top of the straight.

This was again evident yesterday as she quickly shot into third place in the straight and opened a gap to the rest of the field.

Kennedy had actually had to wake her up at about the 1000m mark after which she came on to the bit superbly and perhaps that is how the champion jockey now gets rid of that flat spot.

Nevertheless, she now had Running Brave in her sights and it was clear from a long way out that despite carrying 59kg and conceding the five-year-old mare 2kg she was traveling better.

It was also clear that nothing from behind was going to catch her so solid and powerful was her stride.

She moved into the lead at the 200m mark at which point Muzi Yeni accepted second place and just kept Running Brave concentrating.

Tree Tumbo ran on well from the back half to give Silvano a first and third and the worst weighted horse, according to official merit ratings, Dance Class, came from a mile back to snatch fourth from the joint topweight Tierra Del Fuego.

The latter ran a fine race considering he had to rush around Summer Pudding on the turn to find cover.

Atyaab finished sixth ahead of Victoria Paige and Crown Towers.

Pack Leader was backed into favourite but could only manage eleventh. He probably prefers faster ground, although the penetrometer reading of 23 suggested good ground.

It was a dream come true for Peter who  grew up in Turffontein and used to sneak on to the course as a youngster.

He dedicated the win to his recently late head groom John Tshabalala, who had been with him from the beginning and who he said had taught him so much.

He also reserved special praise for Summer Pudding’s owners Stephen and Jessica Jell of Mauritzfontein Stud, who bred her together with Jessica’s mother Mary Slack of Wilgerbosdrift Stud.

But Peter spared the final word for Summer Pudding.

Kennedy said he had been concerned about the weight and draw and was full of accolades for a filly he called a true champion.

Many felt Summer Pudding had been a weak award for Equus Horse Of The Year last season as she had only competed against her own gender and age group barring her second start when taking on older females in a handicap.

So yesterday was an acid test and she came through it with flying colours.

Her next hurdle will be to take on the best in the Cape and if emerging on top she will take a step up from public darling to great.

Michael Clower

WOMEN jockeys are increasingly making an impact around the world and, if sheer determination is anything to go by, Erin-Lee Watkinson may one day make her mark in what is still largely a male dominated profession.

The Andre Nel-trained Magnetic Dime opened one of the favourites for the Work Riders’ Maiden but punters, most of whom had never heard of her, allowed her mount to drift out to 107-20.

They won’t make that mistake again. This may have been only Miss Watkinson’s third ride but she sent her mount to the front 400m from home and coolly kept her going to score by three-parts of a length. Not bad for a qualified engineer!

The 24-year-old explained: “I made a deal with my parents – I wanted to become a jockey but they said ‘You must get a qualification first.’ 

“I have already spent a year at the Jockey Academy but then they changed the rules. However Andre is now applying for me to be apprenticed to him. If that doesn’t work out then I will go to New Zealand because the academy there has already offered me a place.”

Vardy, winner of last season’s L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate and expected to be one of the favourites for South Africa’s premier mile race in January, will be out of action for several months after suffering an injury to his near-fore suspensory.

Trainer Adam Marcus, speaking at Kenilworth on Saturday, said: “It’s not career-ending but he has a small lesion in the suspensory branch on his near-fore. I’ve dealt with injuries like this before and they take a lot of TLC but I am hoping that we can get him back on the course.

“The lesion is something that can heal with time and we picked it up immediately. We will give him the time he deserves. He is a gelding, and lightly raced – and we still hope that we can bring him back to his best.

“But for the moment one step at a time. We will rescan in two months and then we will be able to see the speed at which the injury is healing.”

Marcus disclosed that this is not the first time the five-year-old has suffered a serious setback, saying: “He is prone to issues. As a young horse he had surgery to remove chips from his near-fore knee and his off-fore fetlock. He is a big horse and this time he may have simply put his foot wrong during training.”

Justin Snaith, out of luck at Turffontein, won three of the other seven races but he disclosed that he has been going through a fair bit of soul-searching about the races in which he should risk his three-year-olds. Like most trainers, he has to consider what the handicappers would do to the horses’ ratings – and future chances – should they run well.

He said: “The handicappers are being instructed to make the ratings high in order to keep Grade 1 status for out top races but I feel we should instead focus on our own racing.” – info@caperacing.co.za

Andrew Harrison

IT’S been two months since Hollywoodbets Scottsville saw a racehorse with the track undergoing its annual spring treatment and with ample spring rains to help, tomorrow’s runners should be racing on a ‘billiard table’.

Many trainers have taken the opportunity to race on fresh turf and punters are faced with well-filled fields that should make for top racing.

The card opener is a work riders’ race where you pays your money and takes your chances.

Yessiricanboogie is a quick filly but ran way below form last run and probably needed it although she did find some market support. Gareth van Zyl’s filly has been up against much stronger of late and Aaron Xabendlini has a top strike rate in these races. Michael Roberts has been a good to Rachel Venniker, always giving her a ‘live’ runner and she partners Sir Pom. He is the highest rated horse in the field and may just have needed his last outing.

Tristan Mustard is headed to the UK on Monday to take up a position with top jumps trainer Nicky Henderson and delayed his departure to ride Father’s Frost for Kom Naidoo. Father’s Frost took on much stronger last run. He has improved with a tongue-tie and goes well this course. Callan Dixon rides Light The Loose who may just need it. But he has been contesting features since his maiden win and has a touch of class.

Should Dixon pull this off, it could be a family double with father Mark sending out favourite Prince Tyrion in the second. Prince Tyrion came in for heavy market support last run and with a strong tailwind helping the runners home Ashton Arries took off like a dirty shirt, trying to lead all the way. He beat all but Palace Wind who finished like ‘the wind’. He will probably be better this shorter trip.

After a frustrating spell in the doldrums, Duncan Howells’s string is finding form and he will be looking to Irish Belle to build on her current good form. Narrowly beaten into second at her last three, she is due a change of fortune.

Her two biggest dangers are also Ashburton-based. The Kom Naidoo filly Badrah made a smart debut for her new stable when drawn widest at Greyville and must have a big chance on a repeat showing while Jarett Rugg is still looking for his first win in KZN and Cherry Tomatoes has made good improvement in blinkers and looked a winner last start.

Best bet on the card comes in the first leg of the Pick 6 with Banzai Pipeline, named after the infamous and dangerous Hawaiian surfing spot.

Garth Puller’s runner ran a cracker from a wide draw last time out and has a plum draw this time around. He is by far the highest rated runner in the field and he should be hard to beat.

Pinnacle Plates over 2400m are as scarce as hen’s teeth. It is something of a catch 22 situation for the operator as these races are often under subscribed and either abandoned due to a lack of numbers or only attracting a few runners that does not make for optimum betting turnover.

But top horses in this category get limited opportunities and a Pinnacle Stakes event gives them an opportunity without having to carry the grandstand in lower handicaps.

Marchingontogether disappointed in a slow-run Gold Cup and his run since was too short. His last success was over course and distance and he should put in a big effort. American Indian made a promising debut for his new stable and steps up to what may prove to be his optimum trip. The mare Flichity By Farr has been rested since the Gold Cup where she ran a cracker with first time blinkers. She stays well and will be a factor.