Our Equus Champion Sprinter of the 2017/18 season, Will Pays is back to defend his R1 million Gr1 Mercury Sprint title at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday.
The Mike and Adam Azzie-trained 7yo son of Imperial Stride beat Attenborough a length in the 2018 renewal of the 1200m weight-for-age contest, and while the runner-up surprisingly failed to make the cut for Saturday’s contest, Will Pays jumps from the 1 draw and gets the services of top heavyweight Bernard Fayd’herbe in his bid for a back-to-back win.
The 2018 Mercury winner Will Pays (Pic – Candiese Marnewick)
But his form profile is not as inspiring as the lead up to last year, where he had won the Hawaii Stakes, been placed in the Drill Hall and then came in off a Pinnacle Stakes score. He hasn’t won since last year – so it may be best to look elsewhere.
A likely favourite for Equus Champion Sprinter, the consistent Sporting Post top-rated Kasimir probably needed the outing when running on late to be beaten 1,5 lengths by La Bella Mia in the Post Merchants last time. The son of Captain Al should strip fitter and sharper and beat the best in the Cape summer. Look for a big effort!
Top Cape sprinter Kasimir (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
His talented stablemate Snowdance has drawn very wide and mixes it with the boys again – the last time being her unplaced effort in the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate. Her recent placed efforts behind Celtic Sea in the SA Fillies Sprint and Garden Province are indicators of her fitness and well-being. But she will need to be at her best to beat Kasimir.
The 2018 Golden Horse Casino Sprint winner Bold Respect is a solid citizen and always runs a gutsy race into the money. He has not won in over a year though but ran a decent prep when third in the Post Merchants after showing his customary toe.
Celtic Sea – dual Gr1 winner against own sex at last two starts (Pic – Candiese Marnewick)
SA Fillies Sprint and Garden Province winner Celtic Sea is a top-class filly who should be in the mix. Her jockey is concerned about her drop back in trip after her mile success last time – but don’t leave her out.
Golden Horse Sprint winner Chimichuri Run has top-class Gr1 sprint form, with close-up places in the Diadem and the Computaform Sprint. The son of Trippi has a wide draw to beat here but will be running at them late and must go into all calculations.
First of the De Kock Australian-bred duo, Alyaasaat has been a touch disappointing but has the advantage of a good draw to bring him into the reckoning for a place cheque.
The 2yo Frosted Gold takes on his elders (Pic – JC Photos)
Top lightweight jockey Ryan Munger rides the 2yo SA Nursery winner Frosted Gold for Mike de Kock. The smart son of All Too Hard was a storming runner-up behind Eden Roc in the Gr1 Gold Medallion and comes in with just 52,5kgs on his back. It is very rare to see a 2yo in open Gr1 company and the De Kock genius could be a master move.
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Search Party was runner-up in this race behind Bull Valley in 2017 but has lost his better form and cannot be fancied from a wide draw.
The former 2yo Gr1 winner Van Halen has won 3 of his last 5 starts since a bleak Cape campaign and appears to relish the Greyville track. His formline is patchy and misleading. But he has the ability at best to challenge.
Africa Rising is a game consistent sort and is threatening to register his eighth win. He ran a cracking third to Chimichuri Run on the big Hollywoodbets Scottsville speed day, and ran on strongly in the KZN Breeders Million Mile when only beaten 1,20 lengths by Morning Catch. He never runs a bad race.
Paul Peter’s Potala Palace 3yo Palace Chapel was only beaten 1,65 lengths by Chimichuri Run in the Golden Horse Sprint when reported coughing. He now takes on the Tarry charge on 2kgs worse terms.
La Bella Mia after her Post Merchants win (Pic – Candiese Marnewick)
Post Merchants winner La Bella Mia led the boys a merry dance in that course and distance rout on 14 June. That was on handicap terms though and this will be infinitely tougher.
The Kildonan mare Vision To Kill has drawn well and must have a place shout on her penultimate effort, when a meritorious third to Celtic Sea in the Gr1 SA Fillies Sprint. Her overall form does not suggest a winning chance, though – she gets the blinkers fitted.
Kasimir is the standout at the top of the SP ratings and he has the credentials to win here. Frosted Gold is an interesting runner- don’t dismiss his prospects!
