Justin Snaith has had a great run with the progeny of Twice Over.
His 4yo Doublemint has now reached the stage where he can step up and demonstrate his undoubted ability and give the Cape team a tick off their feature bucket list.
Despite returning season after season with a powerful wave of equine diversity, Justin Snaith is yet to win the Gold Cup and nothing would give him a bigger thrill to lift the coveted 3200m marathon trophy after a long, hard season.
Doublemint – top rated (Pic -Chase Liebenberg Photography)
Our Vodacom Durban July top-rated runner – and again top rated here – and a dark horse in many calculations, Doublemint looked dangerous halfway down the home straight in the big race only to fade to finish ninth and 3,70 length off his illustrious stablemate. He is yet to race beyond 2400m and won the Winter Derby of his year. If he stays, he looks a massive contender from a nice draw with Anton Marcus in the irons.
There are some who may prefer his stablemates Strathdon and Made To Conquer.
Made To Conquer beats Strathdon (Pic – Candiese Marnewick)
Fourth in this race last year, Strathdon is the mount of first choice Snaith jockey Richard Fourie and was forced to play an active roll for a long way in the Gold Vase before being run out of it late by Walter Smoothie. If allowed to be ridden more conservatively here, he could be in the mix.
Made To Conquer finished just behind Strathdon last year after going close in the July three weeks earlier. He must be considered.
Topweight Roy Had Enough was suggested as a possible Gold Cup candidate by Anton Marcus after his Track & Ball Derby win. The son of Pierro did not run a bad race in the July (seventh and 2,75 lengths behind Do It Again) and gets the services of Piere Strydom – looking for a second Gold Cup win.
Roy Had Enough – topweight will be ridden by Piere Strydom (Pic – Candiese Marnewick)
Dawn Assault was third in the Track & Ball Derby and is a hardknocking entire who can challenge if he stays.
Dark Moon Rising was beaten 4,80 lengths into sixth behind Its My Turn in the Gold Cup last term. He has the scope and ability to challenge for place money.
Lonsdale winner Liege is an enigmatic sort but must have a chance if he strips fit.
The Dynasty mare Dynasty’s Blossom ran a cracking prep when flying up late down the inside to be beaten a quarter length by Walter Smoothie in the Gold Vase. While she hasn’t won in ages, her form has been decent and she tries the 3200m for the first time. She is also the most expensive purchase in the field.
The 6yo Wealthy probably earned his berth here after catching the eye when staying on late and under two lengths behind Walter Smoothie in the Gold Vase. His form prior to that was a bit iffy – but he is bred to go all the way and could have found a late niche in his racing career.
SA Oaks winner Secret Potion has been a little quiet recently and may just have needed the run when beaten ten lengths behind Roy Had Enough in the Track & Ball Derby.
Excellent prep and stays well – Gimme One Night has a big chance (Pic – Chase Liebenberg Photography)
Brett Crawford’s Gimme One Night has enjoyed something of a dream prep for his main target this season and the 5yo’s storming runner-up finishes in the Lonsdale and the Consolation July bring him straight into the reckoning. The Chairmans Handicap winner stays the 3200m and looks a serious candidate for top honours.
Track and Ball Oaks runner-up Flichity By Farr stayed on without threatening in the Gold Vase on July day. She has mixed it with the males at the top levels of the staying ranks and is always a danger.
Consolation July winner Shenanigans is a temperamental sort but stays very well and has a big chance if he settles. The Dynasty entire is given a decent chance by jockey Lyle Hewitson, who says that can go close if he settles.
Shenanigans – chance depends on his behaviour (Pic – Candiese Marnewck)
Fourth of the fairer sex quintet, Sunshine Silk has drawn wide out but has always had this race in her sights since winning the Gold Bowl in May. She stays all day and will strip fit.
Her stablemate Ali Bon Dubai stays well and ran a decent prep when staying on for fifth and under two lengths behind Shenanigans in the Consolation July.
PE Gold Cup champion Onesie is in a rich vein of form, having won her last three races on the trot. She is the only Eastern Cape challenger – Cereus the previous winner from that region in 2001.
Snaith holds all the aces and he could dominate the finish with Doublemint and Strathdon set to hold Made To Conquer and Roy Had Enough.
