Gavin van Zyl stable jockey Warren Kennedy has stuck with SA Derby runner up Rocketball for Saturday’s Gr 1 Daily News 2000, leaving Keagan de Melo to pick up a good ride on Celtic Captain and Raymond Danielson a difficult task with Redcarpet Captain who has a stamina doubt.
Van Zyl said Rocketball had been doing very well up in Johannesburg.
Rocketball (Left) Nkosi Hlophe
“The change of tactic seemed to do the trick last time,” he added.
Rocketball was dropped out in the SA Derby and cut through the field like a knife through butter, although the pace had admittedly been fast. In the end he was beaten only 0,2 lengths by the SA Triple Crown hero Abashiri.
From pole position draw he will be able to employ the same tactic and will waste no energy finding cover.
Van Zyl has raided successfully from Johannesburg before with the like of Seal and Eton Square. The training at altitude could well be of benefit for such a middle distance race.
He travels down to Summerveld tomorrow (Thursday) and Van Zyl had no concerns about this relaxed horse being affected by the journey.
Meanwhile, Kennedy said Redcarpet Captain had put up very good work at Summerveld yesterday (Tuesday). This Captain Al colt has plenty of speed, so there will be a doubt about him getting the 2000m trip. Kennedy confirmed, “He will have to be dropped out and put to sleep immediately, that will be the only way.” He is drawn wide in 12.
Kennedy said Celtic Captain had also been doing very well.
This Captain Al gelding is out of a dam who won over 2400m and Kennedy reckons he is looking for 2000m. In the Canon Guineas Celtic Captain quickened well to hit the front, but then appeared to lift his head to look at the TV screen. The course experience would have helped and the race is also run in the day on Saturday. This recently gelded horse looks to be the dark horse from a fair draw of six.
Kennedy rides No Worries in the Gr 3 Lonsdale Stirrup Cup over 2400m. He said, “This trip is maybe what he has always been looking for. He galloped resolutely all the way to the line last time (when winning over this trip at Scottsville).
By David Thiselton
