Disco Al goes for the Algoa Cup double on Sunday
They have come from near and far and in all shapes and sizes for the ‘PE July’ to be run at Fairview today. The R350 000 Betting World Gr3 Algoa Cup is as entertaining and open a handicap that any racing enthusiast could hope to enjoy and the organisers will be thrilled that the Ramsden and Marcus show are in town to defend the 2013 title.
Last year’s race was switched to the polytrack to save the big day after rains had lashed the territory and while there were the customary whinges, it all ended happily for the Disco Al connections as the son of Captain Al swept forward to win a cracker under Robbie Fradd.
Superman
Anton Marcus – rides Disco Al
Anton Marcus is carded to ride Disco Al for former Cape champion trainer Joey Ramsden this time round on the turf.
Ironically the now 5yo gelding has not tasted victory since his big payday in 2013 but he stands on the brink of accreditation as one of those rare individuals to have won the same stakes race in successive years on two different surfaces.
But that is purely academic now as punters ponder a sixteen-horse field, where just about anything looks capable of winning.
On Song
Disco Al has been lightly raced and impressed at a pipe-opener after a ten week break when flying under topweight of 62,5kgs over the Durbanville mile a fortnight back.
He got to within 0,70 lengths of the admittedly modest two-time winner Anzac, who was receiving 10kgs.
That run spoke volumes about Disco Al’s wellbeing though and with Marcus up and a 4 draw, he must go very close to achieving the unique double.
Snaith Ace
Justin Snaith – a strong hand
While receiving only a half kilo from Disco Al, Justin Snaith looks to hold a serious trumpcard in the year younger Silvano colt Arion.
The Maine Chance bred had his first run in seven months when getting very tired late to fade out to a 9 length fourth behind the subsequent Matchem Stakes winner Reim at his opening start this season.
A highly-rated sort, Arion’s outstanding third behind stablemate Legislate in the Investec Cape Derby is the run that suggests he could be a serious threat here.
A major question remains his fitness though.
Another Dancer
The Vaughan Marshall trained Tribal Dance is a capable galloper on his day.
The son of Tiger Dance had a prep run behind Helderberg Blue a fortnight ago and that would have brought him on nicely.
The fact that he has not won since April 2013, when beating Jet Explorer in the Listed Sledgehammer, will count against him though and he needs to find the level of form that saw him get to within 4 lengths of Master Sabina in the Gr3 tabGOLD 2200 during Champions Season.
In Form
Trainer Hekkie Strydom had a nice winner at Fairview on Monday and he saddles one of his favourites.
The Qui Danzig 6yo Russian Mig has won ten races but only up to 1400m and tries the 2000m for the first time in his long career.
He is out of a staying Coastal mare who won up to 2400m and is the kind of horse that can settle and run on.
Against him is the fact that he has pulled an awful draw but the gelding recently tagged ‘Mr Versatility’ by local racing commentators, is in the form of his life and would be a deserved surprise winner were things to go his way.
Strong Galloper
Bremner’s Blaze Of Fire is a powerful galloper
Yvette Bremner’s Victory Moon entire Blaze Of Fire is a top class sort on his day.
He won his last start in aggressive fashion when beating Silent Partner by 1,25 lengths and meets the Wiese galloper on identical terms.
If not needing the outing after a 12 week break, he is worth considering from a good draw.
The one-eyed warrior Political Playboy is the first of the Kotzen duo and the Australian-bred son of Dehere is never far off the action.
There is little to choose between him and Blaze Of Fire and given some luck in running, he could earn.
Right There
Silent Partner ran a cracking fifth in this race last year and is a hardknocking 7yo who is never far off the action.
On his last polytrack run, he is held by Titus and also has a widish draw to overcome, which are not in his favour.
The former Mike De Kock-trained Gone Baby Gone is now with Glen Kotzen and may need the outing after a 13 week break following Super Saturday.
The son of Greys Inn is not far off the best of his generation but fitness doubts and a wide draw negate his chances.
Traveller
Titus hails from a form yard
Bonnard travels back from the Cape after two runs down there following a successful campaign in the Eastern Cape.
He appears held by Disco Al on his last run but looks capable of springing a surprise off his handy weight.
Lord Badger has won 2 of his last 3 starts on the polytrack and is fit and distance suited.
The son of Badger’s Drift is a kilo better off with Blaze Of Fire for a turf 1800m beating of 1,35 lengths in August.
The recently improved Mike Bass runner Titus won a cracker on the polytrack last time when getting up to beat the subsequent winner Wooden Star.
At his penultimate start he beat the capable Tiger Tops over 200m at Durbanville.
Titus will thus be perfectly distance suited and has a handy galloping weight.
The Outsiders
Of the rest, it is difficult getting too excited, but nothing would be a complete shock.
This group includes:
The 6yo Silvano gelding Astro News, who comes in on top weight and with a poor draw.
He has been rested 13 weeks since going down 8 lengths to Futura on Super Saturday and as a horse who has run to a lifetime highest MR of 113, he must have a place chance at his very best.
Formerly with Mike Azzie, the staying sort Masai Warrior is a 7yo son of Wolfhound who has his first run for Gavin Smith. His recent form is poor.
High Flyer
Indian Hawk has lost form recently but is capable
Indian Hawk is another capable sort from the Snaith attack. He has been off form of late and would need to up his game to challenge.
The 2013 Emerald Cup winner In A Rush is a surprising inclusion in this 2000m event.
The son of Windrush ran a shocker when out to defend his Emerald title last month and was found to be not striding out. He cannot be fancied and looks to be past his best.
Forest Digger is a very capable staying sort who despite shocking at his penultimate start when running Red Barrel to 0,25 lengths over a mile, is likely to need further to show his best ability.
Combinations
Arion is the danger
Jockey and trainer combinations could be the deciding factor in a race where luck and running and tactics looks likely to play an important part.
It doesn’t get much stronger than Marcus and Ramsden versus Strydom and Snaith.
The lightly raced Arion looks the most likely fellow to spoil the double celebrations for Disco Al.
But it is a handicap and things don’t end there. The likes of Tribal Dance, Russian Mig and Blaze Of Fire may be nice value kickers.
