David Thiselton
THE Grade 1 Golden Horse Casino Sprint is always the most open Grade 1 event of the season and as usual just about every one of the 16 runners has a winning chance.
The three-year-old Battle Force is officially 2.5kg under sufferance but his 106 rating is likely capped as he has cruised to victory in this last two sprint starts, both handicaps, and was raised a maximum of eight points on both occasions. He has a fine chance carrying just 52kg.
Three-year-old Vars Vicky, winner of the Grade 2 Senior Santa, has been aimed at this race and this talented long-strider is 6kg better off with Battle Force for a recent 3.50 length beating over 1200m at The Veal so there is not much in it.
MK’s Pride prefers a touch further but this tough 1200m will suit and he packs a strong finish so should be right there.
Cartel Captain is trained by Dennis Drier who has won eleven Grade 1s at Scottsville and this horse comes off a third in the Grade 2 Diadem over this trip at Kenilworth followed by a win over this course and distance and an unplaced run in the Drill Hall over 1400m. He should be cherry ripe.
Chimichuri Run won this race two years ago and is effectively only three points higher in the merit ratings now and one point lower than last year when finishing a close fourth. He comes off a 3,25 length fourth over the too sharp 1000m of the Grade 1 Computaform Sprint, his third successive place in that race.
His stablemate Warrior’s Rest is the defending champion. This big horse went on to finish second in the Grade 1 weight for age WSB Mercury Sprint last year but is five points higher in the ratings since last year and hasn’t had a run for six months.
Another Sean Tarry-trained stablemate is Eden Roc, a former Grade 1 Tsogo Sun Gold Medallion winner over this course and distance. He finished eighth in this race last year and is now three points higher in the merit ratings following two wins this season, but he has a telling burst when it pans out well and can’t be ignored.
Tarry also runs the Grade 2 winner over a mile Ikigai. He has dropped to a competitive merit rating but continually disappoints.
No Laying Up finished third in the Grade 1 Golden Medallion last year and probably needed his latest outing when a close 0.95 length fourth over 1100m here to Ishnana. He is 1kg better off with the latter but is officially 2kg under sufferance.
Ultra Magnus was a narrow runner up in this race last year and is in fine form so can go close again despite being seven points higher in the merit ratings.
Ishnana loves this course and distance but is officially 2.5kg under sufferance.
Kasimir is a former Equus champion sprinter. He finished a narrow third last year and is three points lower in the merit ratings so will be a big runner if bouncing back to his best.
Speedpoint was a Diadem runner up last year but disappointed in two recent runs over this course and distance and will need to bounce back.
Bohica has come off second place finishes in the Senior Santa and Computaform Sprint but was raised seven points for the latter performance and it won’t be easy.
Pearl Of Asia has a good record over course and distance but this is his toughest task to date and he is half-a-kilogram under sufferance.
Captain Tatters is ultra consistent but he has only won once and is 2kg under sufferance.
