The R250 000 Gr3 Lonsdale Stirrup Cup presents punters with one of the serious puzzles on a top class race day at Greyville today. The 2400m handicap hosts a capacity field with chances to many.
Milnerton based Joey Ramsden is one of our best staying conditioners and his Argentinean-bred Coltrane is a consistent and talented stayer who runs fresh after a 14 week break.
Coltrane – runs for Marcus
The son of Giant’s Causeway has not won for some time and was beaten 5 lengths by the top class Solid Speed in this event last year.
He is a horse that runs for Anton Marcus and has as good a chance as a few others.
Mike Bass – competitive coupling
Mike Bass has two in the race and his topweight Helderberg Blue comes into the picture after a return to form last time when third to No Worries in the Highland Night Cup.
The very expensive son of Jet Master has been a disappointing horse to follow but may well be ready to get back into the winner’s enclosure after a long absence.
His stable mate Three Balloons is a modest staying sort and has shown nothing in his two opening starts in KZN. While it is not a major factor over the trip, his wide draw is bound to count against him.
Dean Kannemeyer – prime form in KZN
Dean Kannemeyer is in top form and saddles an attractive coupling headed by the Silvano gelding Balance Sheet.
Anthony Delpech rides the 4yo who has been lightly raced but is a notable Vodacom Durban July entry who will have to put his best foot forward here to be considered for inclusion in the final field.
His stable mate Solar Star was made ample use of last time when making the pace in the Highland Night Cup, only to be caught late in the race by No Worries.
The son of Kahal is 1 kg better off with the Van Zyl galloper and given the likelihood of a serious pace in the race could show further improvement with a patient ride.
No Worries – found his niche?
No Worries found a sustained finish in the Highland Night Cup and may have found his late career niche in staying handicaps.
The son of Kahal has seldom run a bad race and show the kind of versatility and heart that brings him into top three consideration here.
Mike De Kock is another man that we would be foolish to ignore in a race of this nature and he saddles the proven stayer Kingston Mines and the Dynasty 4yo Alghadeer.
Kingston Mines has his first run in 17 weeks since a smart third in the J&B Urban Honey Stayers behind Ovidio on Met day.
He is the kind of horse that has proven himself able to come out fresh and cannot be discounted.
Alghadeer is the mount of Weichong Marwing and made a timeous return to form at Turffontein last Saturday when staying on well to beat In The Cruise in a tight finish.
He is a stakes winner on the poly at this track and could be ready to fulfil some of his early promise.
Serissa – dangerous galloper if in the mood
Sean Tarry’s Serissa has been quite in and out of late but stays well and could play a role if able to run his race and relax early.
Storm Warning travels from Gauteng and ran on steadily for third in the Caradoc Gold Cup.Well drawn here, he looks likely to run another honest race.
Fortune Fella showed good pace in the same race but faded late to run out of the money.
He is a kilo worse off with Storm Warning.
Killua Castle – not very consistent
Of the balance, Killua Castle is not getting younger and his form of late is quite ordinary.
He looks unlikely to feature but is the sort who could spring a surprise and run on into the money.
The 2014 Gr1 Gold Cup winner Wavin’ Flag returns after a 69 week break and is likely to need it.
Coltrane and Balance Sheet look the two most likely to fight this out. No Worries, Solar Star and Alghadeer may be best of the rest.
It is best to go wide in the exotics!
