In what has been billed in some quarters as the sophomore clash of the year, and a possible preliminary to the R2 million Hollywoodbets Gr1 Cape Guineas in the Cape on 16 December, generation leaders Sandringham Summit and Main Defender have drawn alongside each other in the R400 000 Betway Gr3 Graham Beck Stakes to be run at Turffontein on 28 October.
The two 3yo’s stand out head and shoulders in the eleven horse field published on Thursday for the classic yardstick to be raced over 1400m on Allied Steelrode Charity Mile day.
Sandringham Summit – may need it as he has his first outing as a 3yo (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
1st R250000, 2nd R80000, 3rd R40000, 4th R20000, 5th R10000
BETWAY GRAHAM BECK STAKES (Grade 3)
For 3 year-olds
No Apprentice / Female Sex Allowance
| 1 | 4 | Sandringham Summit | 60 | 117 | T A | Calvin Habib | David Nieuwenhuizen | |
| 2 | 3 | Main Defender | 59 | 121 | A | Kabelo Matsunyane | Tony Peter | |
| 3 | 10 | Gimmeanotherchance | 57 | 108 | A | Craig Zackey | Mike de Kock | |
| 4 | 9 | Sovereign State | 57 | 106 | A | Muzi Yeni | Frank Robinson | |
| 5 | 8 | Fire ‘N Flames | 57 | 101 | A | Denis Schwarz | Kobus Roux | |
| 6 | 2 | Mount Pilatus | 57 | 98 | A | Philasande Mxoli | Paul Matchett | |
| 7 | 5 | Biofarmer | 57 | 95 | A | S’manga Khumalo | Heather E Adamson | |
| 8 | 11 | The Africa House | 57 | 94 | T A | Richard Fourie | Sean Tarry | |
| 9 | 6 | Richard The First | 57 | 92 | A | Gavin Lerena | Fanie Bronkhorst | |
| 10 | 1 | Halberdier | 57 | 86 | T A | Jason Gates | Billy Ruiters | |
| 11 | 7 | Prince Of Kildare | 57 | 82 | Ae | *Malesela Katjedi | Billy Ruiters | |
| Same Trainer | ||||||||
| (10,11) | ||||||||
Trained by David Nieuwenhuizen, the Varsfontein bred Gimmethegreenlight flyer Sandringham Summit has his first start this term after beating Main Defender in the World Pool Moment Of The Day Gr1 Champion Stakes at Hollywoodbets Greyville at the end of last season.
He has been priced up as the 14-10 favourite by Hollywoodbets.
Having won the Durban Gr2 Golden Horseshoe at his previous outing, also at Hollywoodbets Greyville, the Charity Mile day clash will see Sandringham Summit stepping out on his home course for the first time over a trip around the turn.
He also has to give his rival a kilo.
Main Defender – experience and a run under the belt! (Pic – JC Photos)
A winner of 4 of his 5 starts, Tony Peter’s Main Defender comes in with the benefit of a race under the belt after slamming a quality field of older horses in the Betway Gr2 Joburg Spring Challenge at Turffontein earlier this month.
The Jagessar bred son of Sandown Distorted Humor stallion Pathfork will again be ridden by Kabelo Matsunyane.
A field of 16 plus 1 reserve accepted for the headline Allied Steelrode G2 Charity Mile on the same day.
1st R625000, 2nd R200000, 3rd R100000, 4th R50000, 5th R25000
ALLIED STEELRODE – ONAMISSION CHARITY MILE (Grade 2)
Open
WFA: 3yrs-8kgs 4yrs-0.5kgs
No Apprentice / Female Sex Allowance
| 1 | 0 | Dave The King | 61.5 | 126 | A | Bernard Fayd’Herbe | Mike de Kock | |
| 2 | 0 | Puerto Manzano (ARG) | 60.5 | 123 | BA | Gavin Lerena | J A Janse van Vuuren | |
| 3 | 0 | Cousin Casey | 59.5 | 122 | BA | Grant van Niekerk | Sean Tarry | |
| 4 | 0 | Winchester Mansion | 59.5 | 121 | CA | Kabelo Matsunyane | Brett Crawford | |
| 5 | 0 | Second Base | 59 | 120 | XA | Chase Maujean | Robyn Klaasen | |
| 6 | 0 | Bingwa | 58.5 | 119 | BAe | S’manga Khumalo | J A Janse van Vuuren | |
| 7 | 0 | Humdinger | 58.5 | 119 | A | Denis Schwarz | Mike de Kock | |
| 8 | 0 | Safe Passage | 58.5 | 119 | BA | Juan Paul v’d Merwe | Mike de Kock | |
| 9 | 0 | Bless My Stars | 58 | 119 | A | Craig Zackey | Sean Tarry | |
| 10 | 0 | Eye Of The Prophet | 58 | 119 | BA | #Rachel Venniker | Paul Matchett | |
| 11 | 0 | Future Pearl | 56.5 | 116 | T A | Richard Fourie | Sean Tarry | |
| 12 | 0 | Shoemaker | 55.5 | 114 | BA | Raymond Danielson | Mike de Kock | |
| 13 | 0 | Melech | 53.5 | 110 | A | Muzi Yeni | Roy Magner | |
| 14 | 0 | Meridius | 53.5 | 110 | A | Calvin Habib | Tony Peter | |
| 15 | 0 | Union Square | 53.5 | 110 | BA | Diego De Gouveia | Mike de Kock | |
| 16 | 0 | Lady Of Power | 53 | 109 | T A | Philasande Mxoli | M G Azzie/A A Azzie | |
| 17 | 0 | Marigold Hotel | 52.5 | 107 | HA | Reserve 1 | Sean Tarry | |
| Same Trainer | ||||||||
| (1,7,8,12,15) (2,6) (3,9,11,17) | ||||||||
The draw ceremony and beneficiary charity allocation will be done on Friday.
Defending champion Bingwa (Smanga Khumalo) is in the line-up that includes highly regarded topweight, Dave The King, who will be ridden by Bernard Fayd’herbe.
