An estimated Pick 6 pool of R2,5 million forms a backdrop to the R125 000 Gr3 Victory Moon Stakes at Turffontein on Saturday.
The race is a traditional last chance saloon for the WSB Gauteng Summer Cup and with eleven of the twelve runners holding Summer ‘passes’ today, it should be tightly contested.
The Summer Cup field will be announced on Tuesday.
A carryover of R250 000 boosts the exotic which commences in the fourth which jumps at 14h19.
The only horse in the line-up not entered for the Summer Cup is Glider Pilot who has his first start since March and should need the run, while the seven-year-old Dark Moon Rising is out for his his second start in Gauteng having finished 14 lengths off Seven Patriots last time out.
They both look to have nominal chances of threatening the top few.
Paul Peter – plenty of options(Pic – JC Photos)
Paul Peter and Warren Kennedy have a few Summer Cup options at their disposal, including the champion Summer Pudding, but today they could do the trick with Astrix.
He had to overcome a wide draw in the Gr2 Charity Mile last time but he finished off his race with entrhusiasm. He has another wide barrier position to overcome today, but he will enjoy the extra 200m on offer and will be mowing down the frontrunners in the run down to the line.
St John Gray’s Dance Class takes on the males.
The daughter of Modu Vivendi was bumped at the start last time, but finished her race off well. The blinkers remain fitted today and with Callan Murray in the saddle, she should pose a threat to the top choice and needs a big effort to book her big race ticket.
SA Champion trainer Sean Tarry sends out former Summer Cup winner Tilbury Fort and the smart filly Victoria Paige.
Hoping for better luck with Victori9a Paige Sean Tarry (photo: hamishNIVENPhotography)
Tilbury Fort is likely to need it and hasn’t run since finishing fifth ithe consolation July last season.
The very capable Victoria Paige was than five lengths off Hudoo Magic in the Charity Mile last time. She is afilly who is capable but never seems to have any luck. She is a quartet inclusion!
The Azzie galloper Seven Patriots went start to finish in his last victory over this distance at the Vaal. He has won twice and finished third once from as many attempts over this trip.
His front running stablemate Orpheus unfortinately compounded to finish one from last in the Charity Mile last time out but has to be better than that.
The fairly consistent Christopher Robin finished 4.25 lengths behind Seven Patriots at the Vaal last time. He is 1kg better off at the weights this afternoon and should finish closer as a result.
Top weighted Green Haze ran second behind champion Soqrat,in the 2019 renewal of this race which was held at the Vaal.. He is capable of improvement but needs to concede weight to each of his opponents.
Corne Spies – sends out a coupling
Trainer Corne Spies sends out G3 Gold Bowl winner Imperial Ruby and Snow Palace in this race, with the gelding impressing when running on for third in the recent Listed Citizen Java Handicap. mperial Ruby was conceding 7.5kgs to the winner Odd Rob.
Snow Palace finished 40 lengths back in the Java Handicap but should be well suited to a drop back in trip in the 2020 Victory Moon Stakes.
So a wide open race, where the likes of Green Haze and Victoria Paige could find their best feet. Go wide in the Pick 6.
