The Charles Laird-trained six-year-old Silvano gelding Ice Machine deserves to land a Gr 1 and has a chance of doing so in the Champions Cup over 1800m at at Greyville on Saturday.

He was strongly fancied to win the Gr 1 Rising Sun Gold Challenge over 1600m, but had to be scratched after standing on a stone upon arrival at the course. In his next start he made up ground from the back in fine style in the Vodacom Durban July but ran out of steam in the last 100m. He will much prefer the shorter 1800m trip and the draw of nine shouldn’t be a concern as he can be dropped out before using his devastating turn of foot.

Anton Marcus is back aboard, having partnered him to his brilliant win in the IOS Drill Hall Stakes over1400m. Laird said, “He’s doing very well, his prep has gone exceptionally well, I think he’s a massive runner.”

Laird felt his run in the July was “fantastic” considering he had missed his preparation run and had then been confined to walking for nine days. He concluded, “He is now cherry ripe.”

Laird runs the Australian-bred More Than ready filly Big Sugar in the Gr 1 Thekwini Stakes over 1600m and she looks to have a bit to find, although she did finish just 2,5 lengths behind Persian Rug over 1400m at Scottsville in her penultimate start and the latter could be one of the fancied horses in a less than vintage field.

Laird said, “We missed the Gr 1 Golden Slipper on July day because she drew very wide and we always thought the mile should be better. So we just have to take our chances from another wide draw (13). She’s well but it’s a tough ask, I’m hoping she can finish in the money.” Marcus rides.

Laird runs Bold Inspiration in the Listed Darley Arabian over 1600m on the poly. He feels the going and being fitted with special shoes helped him to improve last time to finish second in the Listed Canon Business Centre Handicap over 1600m on the turf on July day. He was raised two points for the win and now has a tough draw. Anton Marcus is compelled to ride the Markus Jooste-owned Night Trip in the race and Stuart Randolph replaces him.

Laird said, “He prefers the poly simply because it’s kinder. He has a very wide draw but is a big, long-striding forward type of horse, so I think he’s a big runner.” Bold Inspiration has had three runs on the poly to date from 1600-2000m for two wins and a second.

Laird runs the speedy Viva La Var in the Listed Umgeni Handicap over 1000m. He lost his unbeaten record last time out in January and hasn’t raced since. Laird said, “He nearly fell on his face in that race and chipped a knee in the process. This is his first run back, we’ve done as much as we can with him and he’s also drawn wide but I didn’t want to miss a run on the poly with him as the tracks are very firm at present. He’s well enough, although he’s not at a hundred percent.”

Viva La Var did not have an operation to remove the knee chip, he was instead left in the box to allow it to calcify, and it seems to have worked. He worked on the poly on Monday and Laird continued, “We gave him a trial gallop and so far he’s come through it fine. He is a runner although there is not much in his favour from his wide draw and returning from a seven month layoff.”

In the first race over 1400m on the poly he runs Temple Rock, who has had two uninspiring 1600m runs since his maiden win over 1600m. He is drawn well in three with a 4kg claimer aboard and Laird said, “He’s been a little disappointing and I’ve put him over 1400m because he’s quite keen and I hope he runs them off their feet. His work is very good and if he reproduces it he will be a runner.”

He runs Team Guys in the Juvenile Plate over 1900, which is contested by nine maidens. He said, “Anton tried to switch him off in behind horses in his last start over 1600m and he just dropped the bit entirely. He’s looking for every inch of 2000m so we will make them gallop this time.”

By David Thiselton

Picture: Ice Machine (Nkosi Hlophe)