The R400 000 Gr2 Premier Trophy run at Kenilworth today has not historically proven to be a major L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate or Met pointer.
But Saturday’s renewal includes a few possibles – with the likes of the under new ownership Deo Juvente, Horizon and Dean Kannemeyer’s undefeated Last Winter looking the exceptions to the norm.
Deo Juvente – races for new owners today
The Gr1 Champions Challenge winner Deo Juvente has not run since that peak day in his career 32 weeks ago when he downed his then champion Mayfair Speculators stablemate Legal Eagle in the best Gr1 finish of that season. The son of Trippi carries 60kgs on Saturday and is very likely to need the outing. The yard have adopted a softer approach into his Cape campaign than in 2016 and he is worth including.
This is one of those weight-for-age plus penalties affairs – with Gr1 winners getting a 2kg wallop and Gr2 winners just a kilo.
Horizon – betting support in Met
Candice Bass-Robinson’s big ticket galloper Horizon has been the subject of some Met long shot betting support and the son of Dynasty will have come on from his season opener when well beaten in a no show behind dual Gr1 winner Edict Of Nantes. His solid third behind Edict Of Nantes in the Daily News 2000 a reminder of what he could be capable of.
Dean Kannemeyer’s Last Winter has enjoyed a patient run into his feature debut – the 4yo has won all four of his starts in good style and takes his next step to the big league here. Interestingly, he gave Ollivander 8kgs and a 1,25 length beating at his first Cape start and the stable regard him highly. This race will tell us all where he is going.
.Last Winter – aims for five in a row
Justin Snaith’s smart stayer Krambambuli has his first run since an unplaced effort in the Gold Cup over 19 weeks ago. The son of Black Minnaloushe ran fourth in the July and chased Icy Trail home in this race last year. He did have two pipe openers under the belt in 2016 and may need this.
Piere Strydom rejoins the enigmatic Silvano gelding Black Arthur. His recent form tells us little – other than the fact that he will be fitter and readier for battle. He is difficult to tip with any confidence and has more friends in the Bookmaking ranks than the punting fraternity.
Bill Prestage’s consistent seven-time winner Milton is always likely to be thereabouts when the whips are cracking. The son of Lateral gave Mambo Mime 5kgs and got to within 1,75 lengths of the Gr3 winner last time out over the distance – but on the winter course. Visiting rider Gavin Lerena could be the tonic required to get his head in front where it counts.
The Algoa Cup winner Nebula gets a serious opportunity again to show that he can be competitive in a major centre. The son of Silvano may need the run after a 6 week break but it is worth noting that he was regarded a July candidate at one stage and can come into his own as a 5yo – as this stallion’s progeny do.
Nebula wins the Gr3 Algoa Cup in 2016
Platinum Prince won four on the trot and was then sent to the Eastern Cape where he was well supported to run a major race in the Algoa Cup. He was slow away but did run on without threatening the top six – finishing 4,30 lengths off Nebula. Platinum Prince is well held on that run but may be worth another chance at home.
The Silvano gelding Ollivander is only a one-time winner and has not won in ages. He comes in off his fast-finishing second to Nebula in the Algoa Cup 6 weeks ago but is 6kgs worse off with Nebula on that and looks hard-pressed to win this.
Glen Kotzen throws 3yo Opera Royal in at the deep end. The son of Oratorio registered his second win from 7 starts in a weak Handicap last time out and his presence may just be a barometer to show his connections where he is headed. He is in under sufferance and would need to produce a massive improvement on what he has shown to threaten.
Ovidio is more of a staying type and he cannot be fancied on current form.
A fascinating race!
We have the ring rusty Gr1 winner Deo Juvente, the R5,2 million yearling Horizon and the R3,7 million undefeated Last Winter. Throw in the hard-knockers Nebula and Milton, with the Black Arthur die-hards, and it’s a race that will give our January features some direction. Last Winter is relatively unexposed. His top jockey and seasoned trainer rate him highly. Saturday could be a turning point in the right direction.
