On The Up. General Sherman takes the step up to 1800m and looks the right one
Trainers Sean Tarry and Mike Azzie collectively look to hold the key to the outcome of Saturday’s R150 000 Listed Drum Star Handicap at Turffontein. General Sherman and the year older Emperor Augustus renew their Wolf Power Stakes rivalry, and there shouldn’t be much in it.
It looks a straight case of two top yards pulling rank, and depending where you are sitting, it’s either the General or the Emperor. Ormond Ferraris may scoff at that assessment though, and his Straw Market is capable on his day.
With all three horses fit and ready to do battle, and no De Kock factor to sway our judgement, the tussle should provide for a fascinating contest on the inside track, where the Fradd Factor could play a leading hand.
Big Four
There are probably only four horses with serious winning aspirations, and with Tarry fielding four runners, there are Pick Six players who may feel safe with just including our top two, with Straw Market a justifiable extravagance.
The lightly raced General Sherman has won 4 of 11 starts, and finished like an express train last time to win the Listed Wolf Power 1600 going away in a tight finish. He got the better of subsequent Gr3 Acacia Handicap runaway winner Amur Affair by a half length, with Emperor Augustus running on powerfully for third, 1,25 lengths away.
General Sherman has his first try beyond a mile, but being by Strike Smartly out of a Fort Wood mare and with his relaxed racing style and impressive switch of toe, he is bound to handle the test with ease.
Supporters
Sean Tarry has three support acts in the enigmatic, but classy Baracah, the fairly consistent Beta, and the out of sorts, Selborne Supremacy. All three look hard pressed to upset General Sherman.
Emperor Augustus meets General Sherman on 1,5kgs better terms and while this will bring them closer, it is disturbing that he has not won a race since October last year.
That said he has been a model of place consistency and as a course and distance winner, and some top class performances over the inside track, he may well be more at home than his adversary. Emperor Augustus is also very versatile, and can adapt to whatever pace may apply on the day.
Ironically, Emperor Augustus is well held by Ormond Ferraris’ Straw Market on their last meeting over the Turffontein mile, and with Nooresh Juglall and the master veteran trainer in top form, it would not be any surprise to see the son of Windrush upset our top two.
Market Place
Straw Market has won 4 of 16 starts, and ran a cracker over the outside 1800m last time when going down narrowly to the smart Ilha Bela, when giving her 3,5kgs. A fit and well Straw Market is a big runner. St John Gray’s Glorious Jet is a smart 4yo son of Jet Master, who looks overdue to score a feature success, sooner rather than later.
He carries topweight here and is a horse with a powerful finish, who probably finds the inside track a trifle testing. He has been placed over the course and distance though, and as a winner of 4 of 24 starts with 12 places to his credit, he could shock the more fancied runners.
His stablemate Super Trouper has lost form recently, while the recently relocated Putney Flyer and Go Gold should find this a touch on the sharp side.
Tight Call
It is a tight call, but we are going with General Sherman to build on his Listed Wolf Power win and hold Emperor Augustus at bay. Straw Market always warrants consideration, while Glorious Jet could put a smile on St John Gray’s face and show some of his true potential.
