Golden Ducat, half-brother to Hawwaam and Rainbow Bridge, has been gelded. Eric Sands and owners Wilgerbosdrift decided on this drastic (in view of his pedigree) measure following his third in a mile handicap at Kenilworth 13 days ago. He has long been a bit difficult and it is thought that gelding will concentrate his mind on racing.
Sands said: “We are not going to rush him back. If he is ready for the Cape Derby (February 22) he will run in that. If not he will either stay in Cape Town for the Winter Series or go to Durban.”
Hawwaam, favourite for the WSB Green Point on Saturday week, now looks almost certain to miss the race. The Sporting Post reports that the Mike de Kock star runs at Turffontein on Thursday and will then be aimed at the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate and the Sun Met before going to Australia.
Champion sprinter Kasimir will miss his hoped-for reappearance race at Kenilworth on Saturday because only three others were declared when the National Racing Bureau added a 1 100m Pinnacle to the programme. The trio comprised stable companion Mister Vargus, the high class Bold Respect and Ready Steady Go, a useful performer from the Harold Crawford stable. But that was not enough and the NRB said no.
Strathdon, winner of the Cape Summer Stayers Handicap two years ago but only fifth when favourite last year, heads the sponsor’s market for Saturday week’s World Sports Betting Cape Summer Stayers Handicap. The Justin Snaith-trained six-year-old is 7-2 with Gimme One Night second favourite at 6-1.
Candice Bass-Robinson’s Majorca winner Cloud Unfold is 3-1 joint favourite with the Brett Crawford-trained Run Fox Run for the WSB Southern Cross Stakes on the same card. Last year’s winner Princess Rebel is a 13-1 chance.
Glen Kotzen sends Elusive Heart for the R500 000 Grand Heritage at the Vaal on Saturday. Stuart Randolph’s mount has joint top weight and will raid from Summerveld.
Mike Stewart, who had a rare Fairview winner with Duchess Of Prussia last Friday, has only had six runners at the Port Elizabeth course in the last five seasons but intends having more.
He said: “They have races for horses with low merit ratings and, provided you have a sound horse, it can be worth it. Also you know the draws before you accept.”
By Michael Clower
