The scratching of Justin Snaith’s Bunker Hunt at 17h30 on Thursday evening has reduced the Gr1 Daily News field to just seven and, while the son of Dynasty could not have been given a big winning chance, it is just likely to add a further notch of confidence to the Hawwaam supporters club.
The projected R4 million Pick 6 has a few other trickier legs and none less so that the second leg, the Gr3 Lonsdale Stirrup Cup – where Sean Tarry challenger Wonderous Climber’s withdrawal has reduced the field to eleven.
Silva Bullet will enjoy the trip
Trainers Justin Snaith and Dean Kannemeyer have held the aces in the Lonsdale Stirrup Cup for the past four renewals, winning two apiece. While Saturday’s race looks wide open, they may be the men to follow again.
Kannemeyer saddles the lightly tried 4yo Silva’s Bullet – and there may be an omen in the fact that he won the same race with the gelding’s Dynasty half-brother Solid Speed in 2015. Silva’s Bullet should go every inch of the trip and had no luck when badly hampered last time when moving up like a winner. He carries a handy 53kgs and could go all the way.
Snaith’s Strathdon ran second in this race last year behind stablemate and subsequent July runner-up Made To Conquer. Richard Fourie rides the son of Silvano, who will strip a lot fitter courtesy of his prep behind Silver Rose in April.
Snaith’s Strathdon
Brett Crawford’s progressive stayer Gimme One Night won three on the trot at home before being outgunned – but running a fair fifth – in the Reserve Stayers on Met day. He unsurprisingly showed nothing at his polytrack prep over a distance short of his best – but can only improve.
The fillies Flichity By Farr and recent East Coast Cup winner Roy’s Riviera are both very decent in mixed company on their day. The latter tries the 2400m for the first time and the booking of Anton Marcus catches the eye.
East Coast Cup winner Roy’s Riviera
Mike de Kock’s topweight Noble Secret stays the 2400m well and seems a lot better than his formline suggests. He warrants inclusion for bigger perms.
Kenilworth Cup winner Pacific Chestnut had a pipe-opening run over the mile when beaten ten lengths by Kenny Trix at end April, prior to his departure for Summerveld from his Milnerton base. He ma be better over further.
Strathdon and Silva’s Bullet are the selection to fight this out, with chances to Gimme One Night and Noble Secret..
