Bouclette Top looks ready to fulfill his early 3yo promise
Alec Laird looks to hold the trumpcard in today’s R150 000 Listed Drum Star Handicap with the somewhat disappointing Argentinian-bred gelding Bouclette Top. The son of Giant’s Causeway promised plenty as a 3yo.
Bouclette Top won 3 of his first 6 starts as a 3yo and struck form with a smooth win in the 2014 Gr3 Tony Ruffel Stakes, which looked to set him up for a tilt at the SASCOC Triple Crown in Louis’ year. That was not to be – the Tony Ruffel was his last win and that was over a year back.
He ran on steadily in the Listed Wolf Power 1600 last time and could be ready to score again.
Tabnews reports that in 2011 trainer Joey Soma won the Listed Drum Star Handicap with Happy Landing, who then went on to capture the Gr1 President’s Champions Challenge six weeks later – all in the colours of Markus Jooste.
No doubt Soma will be hoping Rushmore River will be able to achieve the same double today again in the familiar green, yellow and black colours of Jooste and wife Ingrid.
Joe Soma – saddles Rushmore River
While Happy Landing went off at 14-1 to win the Drum Star, Rushmore River has been installed as the 7-2 second favourite behind Bouclette Top (3-1).
While Alec LaIrd’s charge is suspect over this distance, Rushmore River has a record of one win, two seconds and two thirds in seven starts over 1800m.
He also has the benefit of a light weight of just 53kg and Anthony Delpech in the irons, who is a master at using that weight advantage to his benefit. A No 5 draw will ensure he can get Rushmore River well placed after the start and be in a position to lead, as Anton Marcus did last time when the son of Windrush outstayed Tiger’s Retreat.
Sean Tarry’s charge is also in the field and they meet this time on the identical weight differential. That should make it difficult for jockey Raymond Danielson to reverse the 1.75-length beating, but the six-year-old should be in the top three.
Brooks-Club does not have the best of draws but he is consistent and could be a Quartet contender.
