At Turffontein on Saturday, the Gr3 London News Stakes commemorates a chestnut express whose victory in Hong Kong’s Gr1 Queen Elizabeth 11 Stakes in 1997 opened the international doors for SA racing in the post-political era.
London News wins the 1996 Rothmans July
The Classic at Turffontein, the Daily News 2000 and the Durban July at Greyville, and an astonishing performance in the J&B Met, were all part of London News’ impressive CV before his record-breaking run at Sha Tin 22 years ago.
A small but quality field lines up at weight-for-age plus penalties over the Turffontein standside 1800m on Saturday to commemorate the Alec Laird champion.
The SP top-rated is the Gary Alexander-trained Ato 4yo Chijmes, a gutsy front-running gelding who won the Sea Cottage Stakes from start-to-finish over this trip a year ago. He never runs a bad race and stayed on well for second in the Charity Mile behind Barahin before winning his last start over 1400m. Denis Schwarz takes the ride again.
Frontrunner Chijmes has a big chance (Pic – JC Photos)
Al Mutawakel ran on beautifully for third and just over a half length behind Zillzaal in the Summer Cup and given the fact that his penultimate run in the Victory Moon can be ignored as he choked up, this lightly raced fellow can be considered,
Divine Odyssey may have needed his last two starts in the Victory Moon and the Summer Cup and has a chance in this small field under topweight.
Topweight Divine Odyssey – chance in small field (Pic – JC Photos)
Green Haze failed to follow up on his Victory Moon Stakes runner-up position when running on steadily to finish a reasonable 2,75 length seventh in the Summer Cup.
Return Flight has failed to fire at her two starts as a 4yo after her dismal Vodacom Durban July run when running last. She is a strong front-runner at her best and could be ready to run into the quartets.
The Pathfork mare Jet Start takes a step up in class and won well last time when beating Greenwood Drive. She has shown fair form in mixed sex company previously and has a place chance in the six horse field.
Chijmes is set to dictate matters from the front and as a fit and proven galloper, he is the selection to win at the expense of Al Mutawakel and Divine Odyssey.
