Veteran Cape-based owner Marsh Shirtliff has enjoyed enormous success in the Cape Winter Series, with two of only three winners of the local Triple Crown, Pocket Power and Katak, both having raced in his familiar pink, white and blue strip.
Saturday could be another big day for the well invested patron, who celebrated a birthday on Thursday, with 2020 star Katak lining up in the Gr1 Kranji Mile, while just hours later Piet Steyn -trained Gem King runs in the WSB Gr3 Legal Eagle Stakes – the 2022 series second leg – at Kenilworth.
Marsh Shirtliff keeps an eye on Gem King after the progressive galloper won the first leg (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
Gem King and Future Prince fought out the finish of the WSB Variety Club Stakes in the first leg of the WSB Winter Series and could put in a repeat performance in the Legal Eagle Stakes on Saturday.
In the first leg Future Prince looked all over a winner coming into the final stages, but was touched off by Gem King close home and beaten 0,40 lengths. Trainer Brett Crawford’s charge is 1kg better off on Saturday and could have the advantage this time.
But form jockey Grant van Niekerk cautioned earlier this week in a chat with the Sporting Post that the classy Pacaya – fourth in the first leg – could prove the value.
“He’s a lovely horse and Justin (Snaith) has been doing a few things differently with him. It can make the difference,” added the charismatic Drakenstein-sponsored rider.
Pacaya has been declared in blinkers and is currently at 3-1 with Hollywoodbets.
Katak, pictured above, has not had much mention in exchanges and Lim’s Kosciuszko is the overwhelming pundits’ pick to win the SG$1 million Kranji Mile – despite the fact that he is yet to win at Group level in nine starts thus far and is up against multiple Group 1 winners on Saturday!
The Australian-bred four-year-old had his colours lowered for the first time at his most recent outing, but that has not stopped the likes of Scott Bailey and Pat Comerford from the Singapore Turf Club’s English Broadcast team, making Lim’s Kosciuszko the one to beat.
Comerford – behind the binoculars for the first time at Group 1 level at the big race this Saturday – said ‘time’ is on Lim’s Kosciuszko’s side.
Lim’s Kosciuszko looks the one to beat in the Group 1 Kranji Mile on Saturday.
“I kept going back to the time (1min 34.07 secs) he ran over the mile two starts ago,” said the Australian race caller.
“Nothing has really come close to that on paper- maybe Lim’s Lightning – but I think Lim’s Kosciuszko’s star is on the rise.
“Dan (Danny) Beasley taking the ride just confirmed my choice.”
For value, Comerford thought the Shane Baertschiger-trained King’s Command could give punters something to cheer about.
“King’s Command also comes into this with a good time under his belt as he carried weight from his last-start win in Kranji Stakes B company,” said Comerford.
“That will hold him in good stead in this field, although he has to give weight to the other good horses at the weight-for-age scale.
“I also thought his run in the (Singapore) Gold Cup was impressive given he was giving the winner 20 lengths at the top of the straight, so you know he will be strong late.”
Bailey agreed with his co-host on both horses.
“I think Lim’s Kosciuszko will get the run of the race from his barrier,” said the former assistant-trainer to Baertschiger.
“He can sit outside the leader if Dan (Beasley) wants him to, has the best turn of foot in the race and at the weights, he should win.”
Bailey suggested the Stephen Gray-trained Hard Too Think was the danger but was with Comerford about his best value chance.
“Hard Too Think’s barrier is a big concern although you know he will be very strong late,” said Bailey.
“But King’s Command seems to be improving at the right time and he can certainly figure.”
Likewise, TrackTalk media tipsters Suresh Ragavan and Michael Spark have the Daniel Meagher-trained star on top with Ragavan agreeing with Comerford about time being the biggest factor.
“He clocked the best time of any horse in the race over the distance, he has shown he can carry weight, he has a good gate and I think he is the best horse in Singapore,” explained the popular Malaysian pundit.
“Of the others, I think Mr Malek can run a good race at odds.
“He finished well last start, puts the blinkers on and he could surprise punters with Bernardo Pinheiro in the pilot’s seat”.
- Kranji starts at 06h00.
- Kenilworth gets underway at 12h05.
