After a rollercoaster ride and surprisingly finding his charge Ishnana relegated to reserve runner status last Monday, declaration day, Summerveld trainer Garth Puller gets a run in today’s Gr2 feature after Gauteng challenger Rebel’s Champ was withdrawn early this morning with a bruised heel.
Hollywoodbets Scottsville will be home to the R175 000 Gr2 2 Post Merchants for the first time today.
Ashley Fortune’s Vaal raider Invidia – big chance (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
Weighted on merit rating bands, the race presents an ideal prep opportunity for the Gr1 Golden Horse Sprint to be run over the same course and distance on Saturday, July 4.
It has been traditionally run at Hollywoodbets Greyville under the lights and was a popular stepping stone into the Mercury Sprint.
But the coronavirus pandemic has turned the world and racing on its head and the SA Champions Season programme has undergone a major reshuffle.
The 1200m race, the final leg of a tricky Pick 6, has attracted a top-class line-up, with SA champion conditioner Sean Tarry holding a strong hand with his pair of Warrior’s Rest and Eden Roc.
Eden Roc is the second of the Tarry runners and returns to the track where he won last season’s Gr1 Gold Medallion. Warrior’s Rest was close-up behind the smart filly Lady Of Steel last time out. He has good recent form over further, but should be well suited to the Scottsville track.
Ultra Magnus has very good consistent form to his credit.
He displayed excellent pace in his last start and despite Anton Marcus dropping his crop, he held all challengers at bay. He has won five times and finished third once from seven starts over this distance.
Ultra Magnus – consistent and distance suited (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
The son of Oratorio should be hard to peg back in the closing stages.
Gauteng visitor Invidia has not run since his big payday in the CTS 1200 on Sun Met day.He moved up very well that day and fought hard all the way to the finishing post.
After a frustrating week where we called on the NHA handicappers to explain their rationale in leaving his horse out at the benefit of lesser-rated sorts, Garth Puller told the Sporting Post today that Ishnana’s late admission to run is ‘not ideal’.
“We will be ready in the circumstances and he is doing well. I have put Warren Kennedy on him. That’s a plus,” said Puller.
The first race goes off at 11h05.
