If the July is the race that everybody wants to win, where does the so-called ‘Consolation July’, the R500 000 Gr3 tabGold 2200, fit in? Emotion and hype aside, it is really just a decently endowed Gr3 contest Ask the connections of the Dynasty gelding, Dynamic.
There was only nominal unhappiness with the July final field this year – certainly compared to some past editions where things hit the fan, and criticism and recriminations flew to and fro.
For past Met winning owner Hassen Adams, things worked out unfortunately. What are the chances of having two different horses with two different trainers in two far-flung provinces both landing up as reserve runners?
Well, that’s what happened, and there must surely have been some momentary head scratching by the selection committee when they digested the fact that both Dynamic and Mac De Lago were Adams horses.
But the brave decision was made and Dynamic gets an opportunity to bank the R312 500 first cheque and register his first win this year.
The lightly raced 5yo son of Dynasty faces thirteen opponents of mixed ability and class in the Place Accumulator opener, where the brave may opt to banker him.
Dynamic has been right in the action in all of his three KZN runs this year and after some excuses, with placed efforts in the Listed Sledgehammer, the Betting World 1900 and the Cup Trial, he looks overdue to score.
Hi stablemate Ultimate Dollar was outclassed in the KRA Guineas when 6 lengths behind The Conglomerate, but in handicap company off a handy weight and Bling Khumalo in the irons, will warrant some attention.
Dean Kannemeyer – saddles a decent duo
Dean Kannemeyer saddles It Is Written and the rather enigmatic Balance Sheet.
It Is Written won a very decent race on the Greyville polytrack on Sunday and goes up two points in the ratings. He was just off the placed runners in the Cup Trial and from a 2 draw could get things going his way.
Mountain Master ran fourth in the Lonsdale and his connections obviously see this as a better option than the Gold Vase.
The son of Jet Master has been a matter of lengths off some decent opposition in strong company and is another who warrants consideration.
Piere Strydom rides the classy Light The Lights for Glen Kotzen.
The son of Western Winter ran on strongly in the KRA Guineas, but had nothing to offer in the Daily News behind French Navy.
We are not sure he stays this far but if the pace is not a blistering one, he is certainly fit and capable of finding the frame.
Ultimate Dollar goes head to head with St Tropez
Joey Ramsden’s East Cape Derby winner St Tropez may think he is running without a jockey with just 52kgs on his back. The son of Silvano will be ridden by the visiting Chad Schofield and from a decent draw he is expected to put his best foot forward – after being an unlucky loser of his last start.
His conqueror there, Sun On Africa, will be tested for consistency and needs to find 2,5kgs on St Tropez.
Mike De Kock and Anthony Delpech team up with the 3yo Flying Spur filly Ataab.
She tries the 2200m for the first time and has shown sufficient to run into the back end of quartets.
Topweight Killua Castle improved again in the Jubilee when a five length third to Legal Eagle.
He is drawn against the paint but is just too inconsistent to fancy as a likely winner.
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Gr3 The tabGold 2200 (SAf-Gr3)
Greyville, South Africa, July 4, R500k, 2200m, turf, good, 2.17.53
1 – ULTIMATE DOLLAR (SAF), 52.0, b g 3, Jet Master (SAF) – Mkushi Gold (SAF) by Western Winter (USA). Owner Evanstan Investments (Pty) Ltd (Nom: Mr R D Hamilton) & Mr N Jonsson; Breeder Daytona Stud; trainer J Snaith; jockey S Khumalo
2 – St Tropez (SAF), 52.0, b g 3, Silvano (GER) – Tanover (SAF) by Model Man (SAF)
3 – Dynamic (SAF), 57.5, b g 5, Dynasty (SAF) – Lanquid Lady (USA) by Theatrical (IRE)
Margins: 3.25, 0.75, 1.00
