With a R1 million carryover in the pool, today’s five-legged month-end Greyville Pick 6 is projected to reach R4 million – and maybe a bit more, in our book.
Mike de Kock last enjoyed success in the Gr1 Daily News with Vercingetorix in 2013.
Today he brings another Silvano big gun to the party in the shape of South Africa’s joint highest rated 3yo Hawwaam, who makes his KZN debut as a red hot order – and looks difficult to beat.
Hawwaam – star material and looks tough to beat (Pic – Chase Liebenberg Photography)
The field size of just eight runners, which includes Hawwaam’s stablemate and likely pacemaker Atyaab, bears testimony to the status of the boom Gauteng colt who has probably scared off any fringe opposition. He has only been beaten once in six starts – and produced his biggest performance when annihilating his opposition to win the Gr1 Premiers Champions Challenge at his last outing on Champions Day.
The formbooks say it all – can anything really stop Hawwaam?
It’s his first run at a strange track, with a shorter straight than he has been accustomed to at his home base. It’s the first time he has had to travel. The pace insurance is there via his stablemate. Anton Marcus knows the course like the back of his hand. It’s difficult finding a feasible chink in his armour, frankly!
Twist Of Fate wins the KRA Guineas – Joey is expecting a big run (Pic – Candiese Marnewick)
The one horse in the field probably remotely capable of raising a scare is Cape star and recent KRZ Guineas winner, Twist Of Fate. While Anton Marcus knows the Cape Guineas runner-up and son of Master Of My Fate well, and will thus have a tactical edge, the Joey Ramsden-trained colt tries 2000m for the first time – having won the Politician Stakes at home over 1800m. After his Guineas win, Marcus suggested that Twist Of Fate would enjoy more ground as his style of racing allows him to go out there and gallop resolutely. So will S’manga Khumalo, who was aboard when runner-up to One World in the CTS 1600, go out and play a cat ‘n mouse game and try and capitalise on Hawwaam’s lack of familiarity with the territory?
Sean Tarry and Lyle Hewitson will be looking for a big day again after their champagne Saturday at Scottsville last weekend and Zillzaal carries their hopes. The son of Silvano has often been a talking horse but is well held by Hawwaam on the Gauteng Guineas and SA Classic form. He was beaten over 6 lengths when they clashed in the Premiers Champions Challenge last time – so looks to be running for a place cheque at best.
Atyaab – Cape Derby winner could be pacemaker (Pic – Chase Liebenberg Photography)
The Cape Derby winner Atyaab has been well beaten at his last three starts – his best being a fourth just under two lengths behind the ill-fated Samurai Warrior at his penultimate start. He looks a likely pacemaker, as previously mentioned.
The R6 million buy Charles almost upset the applecart when hampered late and only going down narrowly to Atyaab in the Cape Derby. He probably needed the outing when beaten 4,15 lengths by the fit Twist Of Fate in the KRA Guineas last time and must surely improve on that.
Hawwaam’s former regular pilot Gavin Lerena takes the ride on the largely unexposed Capoeira. The Andre Nel-trained son of Oratorio looks an optimistic entry on paper but improved nicely at his second KZN start when going down a half length to Our Coys in a scrappy race at Scottsville last time. On a line through his early form behind the seemingly average Herodotus, he looks held here.
It is difficult to oppose Hawwaam, who looks a ready made banker in all exotics.
