Louis The King, the Sascoc Triple Crown Champion, can return to his winning ways in Saturday’s R2 Million Sansui Summer Cup. But the race is the first Gr1 of the new season and it won’t be a case of arrive and collect. Woodruff’s champion colt could encounter some serious resistance but the stable has plenty of back-up.
Twenty horses line up in the Gauteng showpiece in a race that has a knack of producing thrilling finishes and closely fought contests. And in case Louis The King fluffs his lines, Geoff Woodruff has brought another three runners to the party, after Master Sabina was withdrawn at midday on Tuesday.
The astute trainer looks determined to dominate the event like he did last year when he filled four of the first five positions. The recently exported Yorker beat Master Sabina that day, with Tellina (absent this time) completing the trifecta and Killua Castle in fifth.
Louis The King – Triple Crown champion could have a great summer
Royal Ace
The Black Minnaloushe colt Louis The King looks the ace in the Woodruff hand after his dramatic late run for third in the Charity Mile. Badly drawn there, he flew late to get within 0,75 lengths of Bezanova. A heartening improvement it was.
The extra 400m here will suit him admirably and he will be better for the benefit of that outing.
It is also pleasing to see that our milestone man Piere Strydom rides him again – that is worth a length or two in any give situation.
Opposition
No Worries will be a serious contender
Let’s take a look at his opposition.
Topweight No Worries is a kilo worse off with Louis The King after finishing a half a length ahead in the Charity Mile.
Gavin Van Zyl’s son of Kahal is a reformed character the past four months after a forgettable Cape trip. But with his free running style it is feasible to believe that Louis could have his measure over the 400m extra.
Charity Mile winner Bezanova returns on a hat-trick bid. Alec Laird’s Bezrin galloper faces a 1kg turnaround with Louis and has to go 400m further.
That could also be the crunch for the improving 4yo who likes to do things his way near the front.
The Chestnut
Rake’s Chestnut
The son of Horse Chestnut, Rake’s Chestnut, is a talented 4yo. But – and it is a big but – he needs to start delivering.
While largely resting on the laurels of his storming Gr1 Daily News 2000 second to Legislate in the KZN Summer of Champions, he has ambled his way through six months of nothingness.
Rake’s Chestnut crossed his legs and lost his jockey in the Charity Mile and then the weather gods showed him the back-hand when his perfect looking Vaal prep run was washed out three weeks ago.
He has drawn well and has S’manga Khumalo aboard. But the jury is out.
Find A Finish
Killua Castle
Killua Castle has pulled an awful draw and this surely must be a frustrating fellow to train.
He has the ability – of that there is little doubt. And he has done the long and the short and both turf and sand.
But he moves up in his races and often just does not go on with it.
At his last start, he ranged up in the Victory Moon at the 400m and after flattering briefly , could only get to within 13 lengths of Bezanova.
Top Mare
Jet Belle is a versatile and classy mare who can both sprint and stay.
She returned to action from her Gr2 Gold Bracelet win against Jet Aglow and won her 1160m Pinnacle Stakes opener like a seasoned sprinter a fortnight ago.
She has drawn wide out and is back ‘home’ with Robbie Sage after a productive stint with Glen Kotzen.
Beat The Rake
Lockheed Jetstar is just one of a powerful Woodruff attack
Lockhead Jetstar is the fourth of the Woodruff quartet and probably the least exposed.
He has dropped a half kilo in the weights after an eyeatching fourth and 1,25 lengths behind in the Charity Mile. Let us not forget that this chap gave Rake’s Chestnut 6kgs and a beating in a handicap over a mile at Turffontein in April.
Joey Soma’s Athina has drawn wide but has run two good looking prep runs.
She was very unlucky in the Gr2 Joburg Sprint Fillies and Mares Challenge when harassed by the winner Supreme Sunset late in proceedings.
Zackey Ace
Judicial, can he make it 4 wins in a row
Tyrone Zackey’s Victory Moon Stakes winner Judicial is on a potential four run winning streak.
The son of Miesque’s Approval is improving all the time and looks fit and ready for a big bash in the major league.
Joey Ramsden enjoyed a winning weekend in his hometown and travels into the Turffontein tiger’s lair as one of only two Cape raiders.
The dual Algoa Cup winner, Disco Al has the benefit of a 1 draw and has been just off the action in the KZN Champions Season.
Laird Quartet
Bold Inspiration
As You Like is one of the Alec Laird quartet of runners. He was cramped when tenth and 4 lengths back in the Charity Mile after a six month break.
It is interesting to see Marthinus Mienie taking a ride of 54kgs – Is that a sign that he is prepared to shed a few pounds to take a good ride?
Charles Laird brings Bold Inspiration to his first major try. The 4yo son of Horse Chestnut has won his last four races in style and is a fit horse.
Earl Of Derby has drawn 20 and dug his way out of the mud to run Judicial to under a length in the Victory Moon. He looks a touch inconsistent.
Glorious Jet has drawn at 17 and is capable of improving with a 4kg drop in the weights after his fourth in the Victory Moon. He was well beaten there by 7,25 lengths.
Unlikely
The second of the Cape runners is Gold Cup winner Wavin’ Flag who lost his prep run through the weather.
This is on the short side for him and as a stayer one imagines that he really needed that intermediate run.
A Gold Cup – Summer Cup double seems a bridge too far, somehow.
Mint Condition
Sovereign Mint – don’t ignore the son of Judpot
The progressive Sovereign Mint ran on for a fair sixth in the Charity Mile. He won his previous four on a roll of progression, and surely deserves a chance to get back on the winning track.
But for his draw of 19, he would have been a nice outsider on the assumption he stays the 2000m- a fact not supported by a glance through his dam’s credentials.
Mountain Man
Bouclette Top is another runner who has had a positive prep. He stayed on for fifth behind Bezanova in the Charity Mile and drops a kilo.
He is well drawn and was a highly rated 3yo who is yet to deliver on his early promise.
Everest was used extensively in the Victory Moon by visiting jockey James Doyle. Despite the exertions in the mud, he hung on for third – which was a fair effort in the circumstances.
It is rare to see Sean Tarry with just one runner in a race of this level. The Kahal filly Enchanted Silk carries bottom weight but looks outgunned. She has only a non black-type feature credit at Clairwood over 1900m as a 3yo to her credit. This is tougher.
