Multiple SA Champion trainer Sean Tarry has won every race of consequence on the local calendar.
Sean Tarry (photo: hamishNIVENPhotography)
Interestingly, despite some decent bids for glory, including second cheques with Whiteline Fever (2012), Social Order (2017) and Tilbury Fort (2018) in the past decade, the Gr2 Peermont Emperors Palace Charity Mile trophy has eluded him in his 23 years in the toughest game on earth.
In an open race on Saturday, Hollywoodbets have three horses at the top of the boards at 13-2. They are Cape raider Crown Towers, Paul Peter’s Riverstown and Sean Tarry’s handily weighted Cornish Pomodoro
Tarry chatted to the Sporting Post on Wednesday and said that he had ‘no excuses’ for not winning the Charity Mile yet, but added that he had also gone close and been unlucky on occasion.
“It’s interesting but I would put it down to my training patterns. I’m looking ahead at the weight-for-age races at this time with my stronger horses, so this could be a stepping stone in their programmes. That said, I have a very decent chance of breaking my duck on Saturday with four really smart representatives,” he suggested.
When asked to single out his best chance, the champion suggested that both Cornish Pomodoro and Tierra Del Fuego were at the top of his suggestions.
“Tierra Del Fuego carries top weight of 60kg with Cornish Pomodoro at the bottom with 52kg. Interestingly, the 4yo Cornish Pomodoro has a similar profile to Zillzaal last year. The latter won his prep easily and then flopped in this race before going on to win the Summer Cup. Tierra Del Fuego has been lightly raced recently and his earlier form is good. He is a big runner!”
The 2019 Summer Cup winner Zillzaal – may just need it (Pic – JC Photos)
His other two runners on Saturday are last year’s Gauteng Summer Cup winner Zillzaal, and the filly Victoria Paige.
“I’d like to believe that Zillzaal will still need the run but will be ready for the Summer Cup double bid at the end of next month. I really thought Victoria Paige would be well weighted, but a glance at the field yesterday suggests that she has a bit to do. Take a horse like Tristful. He ran in quality Gr1 company last time and she only gets 1,5kgs from him.”
Tarry has a string of top jockeys riding his quartet with Gavin Lerena on Tierra Del Fuego, Aldo Domeyer on Zillzaal, Luke Ferraris aboard Victoria Paige and Lyle Hewitson on Pomodoro.
Click here for the Peermont Emperors Palace Charity Mile Betting
Justin Snaith leads the group of raiders with Michaelmas Handicap winner Crown Towers. This son of Camelot raced in the Gr1 Champions Cup over 1800m at Greyville in August and has t be a strong contender. Grant van Niekerk takes the ride.
Snaith’s raider Crown Towers (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
Brett Crawford, who like Snaith, operates a yard in KZN from where they are raiding the Highveld, has Hudoo Magic who is quoted at 25-1 for Saturday’s race.
Paul Peter has two runners with decent form in Riverstown and Astrix. The former has been priced up joint favourite with Crown Towers at 13-2 and will be ridden by Piere Strydom.
The Pick 6 pool on Saturday benefits from a carryover of R1,5 million – the estimated pool is expected to reach R7,5 million.
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