The Conglomerate – looks to fulfill his exciting promise
The calculated collective striving for glory by man and horse reaches dizzying new heights of interest for racing fans at Greyville on Saturday where the rampant Joey Ramsden squares up to his Northern neighbour Sean Tarry in a bid to wear the coveted R2 million Gr1 Daily News 2000 garland.
The contest is a fascinating one – and very obviously not a simple case of The Conglomerate versus French Navy and the only filly Siren’s Call.
This race is enough to give even the most anti-establishment diehard cynic a rush. And the realisation that despite the Vaal sand track debacle, Tellytrack, the inevitable politics and stakes agreements, and all the other sideshows, that our racing is alive and quite well.
Outstanding 3yo’s, top-class trainers and owners whose silks are in the winner’s enclosure week in and week out will go for glory – and besides a strong Vodacom Durban July pointer, a seat amongst the illustrious past winners.
Confident
Joey Ramsden and Anton Marcus – they don’t look worried!
Joey Ramsden and Anton Marcus are supremely confident about the prospects of their KRA Guineas winner, The Conglomerate.
Joey writes in his weekly ramble that he and Jooste frontman Derek Brugman have been itching to see him go the 2000m for the first time.
He takes on the Tarry duo of SA Classic winner French Navy and the only lady in the near SA Triple Tiara queen, Siren’s Call.
Both have the credentials to win – both are badly drawn – and theory says that they would have preferred Clairwood to Greyville- dream on!
Astute
Siren’s Call is top class and takes on the boys
The calculated move to expose Siren’s Call against the boys makes sense.
Astute owner Peter De Beyer said recently:
‘In the colt’s race, we get 2.5kg from colts with similar ratings to ours- we have to meet these same colts on worse terms in the July. If we have any hope in the July, we need to win this race at these weights. In the Woolavington, we would meet Majmu at levels – in the July she has to give us 2.5kg, and the market has us at 33/1 and her at 5/1 for the July. Also Inara at levels off a similar rating to ours. We drew awfully in both races. So, bottom line- race for twice the stake on more favourable terms ( if you believe the current ratings, which I think do). I think the fillies are as good as the colts this year unless something shows good improvement.’ (thanks to ABC).
With the Tarry and Strydom brains trust no doubt supporting the decision, who are we to argue?
Leap Of Faith
Ertijaal winning the Sea Cottage Stakes – could produce an improved run here
Anthony Delpech rides Cape Derby winner Ertijaal (106).
The son of Hard Spun carries the major De Kock hopes and will be looking to regain his stature after disappointing in the SA Classic and then showing a little bit more with a fourth in the SA Derby.
The Weiho Marwing trained Mac De Lago (104) leapt to prominence when flying up late to be beaten just two lengths in the KRA Guineas.
He ran out of his skin there after a modest SA Classic run and needs to prove (from a poor draw) that his Guineas run was no fluke. He gets his chance here!
Johan Janse Van Vuuren’s Unparalleled (104) was 6 lengths off Wylie Hall in the President’s Champions Challenge, and prior to that looked dangerous late when stopping late for fourth behind French Navy in the SA Classic.
He is well drawn at 2 and has the class to win this.
Glen Kotzen’s Light The Lights (102) showed courage and some improvement when running on nicely for a 2,75 length third in the KRA Guineas.
Well drawn, the son of Western Winter tries the 2000m for the first time and on his best feature performances must have a money chance.
The rather disappointing MLJet (102) has transferred from Vaughan Marshall and has his first run for Gavin Van Zyl.
Blinkers are also fitted for the first time to the enigmatically talented son of Jet Master who was well beaten in the Gauteng Guineas and the SA Classic.
With a wide draw it is difficult to see him upping his game enough to trouble the top five.
Rampant
Bernard Fayd’herbe – rides Rampant Ice for Weiho Marwing
The second of the Marwing challengers is the Go Deputy gelding Rampant Ice (100), who is well drawn and will be piloted by leading heavyweight Bernard Fayd’herbe.
After being outpaced early on in the KRA Guineas, he ran on strongly and was doing his best work late to finish 3,15 lengths behind The Conglomerate.
He is bred on staying lines and with further improvement and the obvious factors in his favour, he could earn.
The second of the Mike De Kock runners is the disappointing Jayyed (99).
The son of Jet Master was Gr1 placed as a 2yo and won his first race three runs back as SA’s highest rated maiden.
He has failed to fire with just over 3 length finishes in the KRA Guineas and Betting World 1900.
He gets the blinkers and the combination of a 1 draw and SA champion jockey S’manga Khumalo could have him producing his 2yo form.
Azzman
Mike Azzie – overdue for a Gr1 win
Amsterdam (108) ran a poor race in the SA Derby but comes into the reckoning on his SA Classic second.
His stablemate Deputy Jud (106) looks likely to enjoy Greyville and stayed on well for second in the SA Derby. Prior to that he ran third in the SA Classic and has maintained his form.
The ex-Roy Magner runner Prince Of Orange (96) is the third of the Mike Azzie trio and looks to have it all to do after failing to feature in the Gauteng Guineas, the SA Classic and the SA Derby at his last three starts.
That makes for a tough campaign and his earlier form over shorter was very decent.
He could struggle from the 12 draw but they say a change is as good as a holiday and the Azzman has few equals when it comes to readying them for the big ones.
Dollar Deal
Ultimate Dollar goes head to head with St Tropez
The Justin Snaith challenger Ultimate Dollar (94) was an unlucky loser in the boardroom at his penultimate start to subsequent EP Derby winner St Tropez.
He showed pace but failed to go on with it when finishing just under six lengths off The Conglomerate in the KRA Guineas.
His post maiden hat-trick suggests that he is no ordinary racehorse and giving weight away and beatings to the likes of Master James and St Tropez earlier on, he could prove the surprise package is he improves on the Guineas failure.
Wildlife
Unexposed Run Rhino Run steps into the Gr1 bullring
The relatively unexposed Run Rhino Run (92) recently changed ownership and stables from Alyson Wright to Paul Lafferty.
The son of Silvano won his first two starts and was raved of as something really special.
He was narrowly beaten by the highly rated Balance Sheet last time and steps into the major league here.
He looks likely on breeding to relish the trip but his wide draw deters.
The second of the Van Zyl runners, Dante’s Legacy (88) has run his fair share of places and ran a decent third in the Derby Trial behind Legal Eagle.
He failed to carry that through and finished over ten lengths back in the SA Derby. He looks a touch outclassed here but it makes sense to take his chances from a good draw and he will also wear blinkers for the first time.
It is a race that seperate the men from the boys – and show the merits of a top filly.
Ramsden and Marcus were bullish in the build-up and appear confident of a big run from The Conglomerate. If Greyville doesn’t catch Siren’s Call out, she will be right there.
