Only 3yo in the race, Kavanagh, unbeaten over 1400m
With Champions Day now behind us most of the countries’ top horses will be setting off on their annual pilgrimage to Natal. The Gr2 Drill Hall Stakes effectively marks the start of what is sure to be another exciting climax to the season and as is always the case, with most of the runners prepping, it is an open affair, writes Steve Furnish.
The highest rated of the eleven runners is the former July winner Big City Life. Glen Kotzen’s charge had a season never to be forgotten back in 2009, as not only did he win the July, but he was also successful in the KZN Guineas and the Daily News 2000. This 5yo son of Casey Tibbs has been very sparingly raced since then and has not been seen out since winning the Gr1 Gold Challenge, after finishing fifth in this event, eleven months ago. Big City Life has won three of his four starts at this circuit. It will be interesting to see how he goes.
Past Master
Another very likely to be having a warm up here is this season’s J&B Met winner Past Master. A very flexible character in terms of distance, Darryl Hodgson’s charge won the Gr2 Diadem Stakes over 1200m in December and he has also won over today’s distance. He has a very nice draw here and best in at the weights with all except Big City Life, is sure to be right there if ready.
Past Master, best in at the weights with all except Big City Life
I Love Greyville
Now approaching 9yo, last year’s winner of this event Tropical Empire is clearly at his best at this circuit. Indeed, he’s won six of his ten starts here and those statistics include four wins from six starts over today’s distance. He’s been very sparingly raced this season and has not been seen out since being unable to get in a blow in both the Diadem Stakes and J&B Met in Cape Town. The booking of Felix Coetzee would suggest that all is now well though, and if it is, he’s a runner.
Powerful Coupling
With all of Rushing Wind, Captain’s Secret and Super Storm representing the stable, trainer Mike Bass clearly holds a very strong hand.
A bit of an enigma, Rushing Wind commands a very powerful turn of foot and has caught the eye finishing best of all in top class events on a number of occasions. In terms of ratings, Rushing Wind was at his very best during the recent Cape season and although his wins have been few and far between, he is undoubtedly capable. Rushing Wind has drawn well here and with champion jockey Anton Marcus now in saddle, he could arrive on time for a change.
A winner of the Cape Classic over today’s distance back in 2009, Captain’s Secret was up there with the very best of his generation as a juvenile. He’s battled to reach the same heights since returning from a long layoff, but he has nonetheless still been performing at a very high level. Anthony Delpech takes the ride here and it is interesting to note that Captain’s Secret’s victory in the Cape Classic was his only previous start over today’s distance.
Super Storm came to hand very nicely in Natal last season and arriving here at the top of his game this time around and having stable jockey Karl Neisius in the saddle, one has to wonder just who is the stable elect here. Super Storm does have a bit to find with his stable companions on paper, but he is at the top of his game having won over today’s distance at Kenilworth last time out and must have a shout.
Ozymandias
A winner of three of his first six outings this season Weiho Marwing’s charge has been progressing nicely and he was far from disgraced when a running on third to the flexible Earl Of Surrey in the Gr2 Hawaii Stakes over today’s distance in February. He was drawn in the bush when making no show in the Gr1 Horse Chestnut Stakes last time out and although he has no easy task at the weights here, he could still improve.
Golden Chariot
Prior to being beaten just three quarters of a length by the legendary Pocket Power when out at the weights in a pinnacle event last time out, Sean Tarry’s charge had won five in a row. He would certainly be a runner if coming into the race at the top of his game, but he has been off the track for almost a year now and although he is clearly effective over 1400m, he would ideally prefer further.
Course Specialists
The higher rated of Dennis Drier’s two runners Martial Eagle has won four from seven over today’s trip. He comes into the race at the top of his game after only having been beaten by the narrowest of margins in each of his last two starts, but he is now taking a big step up in class and out at the weights to boot, won’t find this easy.
Is Martial Eagle the stable elect though? Paraquayito is unbeaten in four starts over today’s course and distance and having only been picked off in the very last stride over 1600m here last time out, he is clearly at the top of his game. Paraquayito has a very nice draw here and usually one to set the pace, he is sure to be right there when the race begins in earnest.
Kavanagh
The only 3yo in the race, Mike De Kock’s charge has been racing against the best of his generation and other than a glitch when well down field in the Gr1 Horse Chestnut Stakes last time out, he has been ultra consistent. He’s won both starts over today’s distance and with Kevin Shea in the saddle, and setting off from pole position here, he has to be a very serious runner.
About The Pace
The pace is usually on over 1400m at Greyville and with the unbeaten course specialist Paraquayito being well drawn, at least a fair clip can be expected. With plenty of ifs and buts, the Drill Hall is never an easy race to call. Rushing Wind, Past Master and Kavanagh are my favourites to fight it out with preference being for the latter.
