The R15 million July day Pick 6 kicks off with a tough opening leg where a competitive field of fifteen line up in the R500 000 Gr3 Gold Vase over the arduous 3000m trip. The puzzle for exotic bet punters will be whether to go narrow or anticipate a knockout blow – and nobody ever enjoys getting blown out in the opener.
Dean Kannemeyer and Anthony Delpech have proven their consistent high win strike-rate over the past 4 months and the combination team up with Lonsdale Stirrup Cup winner Balance Sheet, a classy and maturing son of Silvano.
The Riyo Stud-bred gelding is lightly raced and has only his fourth outing since chasing Wild One home in last year’s Gold Cup.
With a perfect prep behind him, he is a massive runner here – albeit possibly not a confident banker bet.
Will Solar Star stay?
His stablemate Solar Star is threatening to win again and is a half kilo better off with Balance Sheet on his Lonsdale run and ran Sunday’s big winner No Worries to 0,75 lengths at his penultimate start.
The classy former Gr1 Gold Challenge winner King Of Pain is a late scratching.
Birthday boy Gavin Lerena rides Joburg visitor Storm Warning.
Storm Warning – stays very well
The son of Jet Master is a hardknocker and may have found the 2400m of the Track And Ball Derby on the short side (unbelievable!) when running on steadily for fifth, 2,25 lengths off Cape Speed. His prep looks to have been to good effect and he will have many supporters on these terms.
Mike De Kock – four way attack
Mike De Kock saddles a four-way coupling and the best of them could be the handily weighted Australian-bred Enaad.
The son of High Chaparral has shown some decent staying ability and while lightly raced and inexperienced, could have the scope under S’manga Khumalo.
Stablemate Smart Mart stayed on without threatening in the Lonsdale but was beaten 5 lengths by Balance Sheet and looks held again.
The well-bred Kinaan ran a shocker when tailed off in the SA Derby and has a mountain to climb to bounce back from that sort of effort.
The son of Galileo carries a postage stamp 50kg’s and could threaten if they go very fast.
Mike Bass – saddles Three Balloons
Mike Bass’ Three Balloons improved nicely to run on late for third in the Derby – that was a considerable upgrade on his earlier form but is another who stays well with the added benefit of a light weight.
Duncan Howell’s game stayer Crime Victim was unplaced in this race last year but ran on well for fourth and only 1,15 lengths behind Balance Sheet. He is a kilo better off with the Kannemeyer runner and is ridden by the determined Muzi Yeni.
Stebbins ran a reasonable fourth behind Abashiri in the SA Derby but was blown out of the water in the Drill Hall Stakes when 9 lengths back.
A progressive looking young stayer in the making, he could improve.
Greek Legend promised plenty earlier but has had three ordinary outings down here in KZN.
The son of Black Minnaloushe looks bred to go this trip and could surprise if upping his game.
It looks tough for the rest, with the proven Gold Onyx and Kingston Mines largely out of sorts of late.
We are suggesting that Balance Sheet may be good enough to hold Enaad and Solar Star, with Storm Warning the danger.
