The anticipated return showdown between South Africa’s top 3yo’s Sandringham Summit and Main Defender is unlikely to happen in the R650 000 Jonsson Workwear Gr2 Dingaans at Turffontein on Betway Summer Cup day.
Billed as the sophomore showdown of the year, the Betway Graham Beck Stakes in October produced a ding dong duel between a close to race-fit Main Defender and Sandringham Summit, with the former gaining a narrow advantage in receipt of a kilo.
Arch rivals Sandringham Summit and Main Defender – unlikely to meet in Dingaans (Pic – JC Photos)
While there was some criticism and debate about the Sandringham Summit ride, the rivalry between the two talented gallopers has been widely discussed – and the anticipated clash in the Dingaans was highly anticipated in many quarters, with the score at 1 apiece.
But this may not happen.
A spokesman for the Main Defender connections told the Sporting Post on Thursday that they had decided not to run in the Dingaans, and that the barrier draw of 20 had sealed the decision.
This will be welcome transparent news for the public with ante-post betting showing a more distance-suited and fitter Sandringham Summit at 12-10, with Main Defender at 14-10 on some boards.
A match race has been pitched between the duo, but the Sporting Post is not aware whether any progress has been made in that regard.
DINGAANS (Grade 2)
| 21 | Calida | Weichong Marwing | 85 | |
| 18 | Command Pilot | Alec Laird | 90 | |
| 4 | Copper Mist | Weichong Marwing | 85 | |
| 3 | Eiffel Tower | St John Gray | 87 | |
| 15 | Fire ‘N Flames | Kobus Roux | 101 | |
| 9 | Gimmeanotherchance | Mike de Kock | 108 | |
| 2 | Guy Gibson | Roy Magner | 105 | |
| 16 | Hotarubi | Sean Tarry | 92 | |
| 12 | House Of Romanov | Tony Peter | 93 | |
| 5 | Kyomai | Tony Peter | 104 | |
| 20 | Main Defender | Tony Peter | 121 | |
| 11 | Mexican Pete | Frank Robinson | 100 | |
| 19 | Navajo Nation | Robbie Hill | 93 | |
| 14 | Pure Predator | Fanie Bronkhorst | 103 | |
| 10 | Purple Pitcher | Robyn Klaasen | 112 | |
| 8 | Red Bomber | J A Janse van Vuuren | 98 | |
| 6 | Royal Edition | Phillip Labuschagne | 89 | |
| 13 | Sandringham Summit | David Nieuwenhuizen | 121 | |
| 17 | Sovereign State | Frank Robinson | 106 | |
| 1 | The Africa House | Sean Tarry | 98 | |
| 7 | We Are The Logans | Tony Peter | 106 | |
| (21) | ||||
