Brave enough to banker Solid Speed?
Despite his eyecatching ‘July gallop’ at Greyville last Thursday, 2013 Gold Vase winner Kolkata looks hard pressed to repeat the trick on Saturday. The son of Requiem faces twelve opponents in the R500 000 Gr2 Gold Vase and his presence just adds to an already precarious looking opener to the projected R12 million Pick 6 puzzle.
Seasoned racing writer Andrew Harrison labelled Kolkata the gallop of the morning at the official July stretches at Greyville , and while the white-blazed 7yo may have impressed plenty of onlookers, his role was as a supporting one and galloping companion for his more illustrious stablemate.
He was obviously just feeling good on the day, as his form does not inspire any confidence.
Kolkata has in fact not won since his 2013 victory in the same race – and his last two runs – an aggregate of 24,85 lengths in the Highland Night Cup and Gr3 Lonsdale Stirrup Cup behind Solid Speed – tell the story.
All eyes will be on Dean Kannemeyer’s Solid Speed, who goes for his fourth straight victory, in what has been a 2015 Champions Season campaign of note for the 4yo gelded son of Dynasty.
While his dam only won up to 1200m, there is plenty to suggest that Solid Speed will go the 3000m and play himself into contention for the Gold Cup. What is interesting is that he has been declared in the blinkers again – for the 3000m.
Heart Of A Lion – appears to be enjoying the stamina tests
Heart Of A Lion ran a 1,75 length third to Solid Speed in the Lonsdale Stirrup Cup and is 2,5kgs better off with the Kannemeyer runner. The son of Seul Amour gets on well with Muzi Yeni and has been threatening to win a race over ground with some good recent performances.
Duncan Howells has three in the race and it is difficult to overlook the prospects of KZN Winter Challenge winner Crime Victim, a consistent son of Bezrin.
He looks held by Solid Speed on the Highland Night Cup effort, but a lot will depend on how they individually handle the extra 600m.
Crime Victim – big chance if he stays
S’manga Khumalo rides Crime Victim for the first time – and he jumps from a 1 draw.
On breeding, there is every chance that he will stay – particularly as he is a relaxed galloper who settles well.
Howells also saddles the Dynasty gelding Beewithmee and the Toreador mare Roc ‘N Rose.
Both should start in double figures, but Beewithmee takes forever to get going and could enjoy a decently run 3000m – although he has been quiet for some time.
A horse that may have more chance that what may appear to be the case at first glance, is Great Rumpus, who will be ridden by Grant Van Niekerk for Frank Robinson.
The 5yo gelding stays well and is one ignores his last start, he is 4,5kg better off with Solid Speed for a 3,50 length beating at his penultimate start.
Gr2 Gold Bowl winner J’s Outsider stays all day and while he failed in the Lonsdale in his first run for the Drier yard, this should be more to his liking.
Mike De Kock’s Smart Mart is an upwardly mobile staying 3yo and ran a decent enough race in the Derby Trial at Turffontein, when 4,75 lengths behind Legal Eagle – giving the July favourite 3kgs.
He has won and been placed since and with Anthony Delpech up, he could challenge in a race that lacks serious form on any front – beyond the top three.
Wild Ash is another who stays well
Geoff Woodruff’s Listed Spook Express Handicap winner Wild Ash is bred to stay all day – and the booking of Piere Strydom will mean that she will be a popular Pick 6 inclusion.
She has won at 2600m, so should handle the 3000m.
Glen Kotzen-trained Gone Baby Gone is threatening to win again and ran his best recent race over 3200m.
He looks held by Solid Speed on his last two starts, but was sufficiently close to the action to suggest that he could threaten here.
The temptation to banker Solid Speed is there. But there are a few that we would included – like Crime Victim, Smart Mart and Heart Of A Lion.
