In Step. Algoa Cup winner Disco Al could have the measure of his opposition in the Kenilworth Cup
Milnerton trainer Joey Ramsden is one of South Africa’s finest conditioners of good stayers and he holds an ace hand in Saturday’s R125 000 Listed Kenilworth Cup to be run over the energy sapping 3200m.
The race, formerly known as the Durbanville Cup, was dominated last year by Ramsden. He saddled the first three home, when it was won by the ill fated Badger Lake.
Boogie Knight
The Brit once again has a lovely strong hand here, headed by the fast improving Disco Al. And in a race where the recent form is rather threadbare beyond the top four or five runners, Disco Al could be a possible banker bet, if repeating his recent form. We should be guarded against the fact that he has travelled, had a hard race and then returned to home base.
Ramsden recently won the traditional ‘PE July’ with this smart Captain Al gelding. The four year old won a thrilling finish under Robbie Fradd to the Gr3 Algoa Cup which was, for the first time this year historically run on the polytrack, after mother nature interfered with the original programming. Joey also saddles the Silvano gelding Crown Of Gold, as a solid back up.
The 2013 PE Gold Cup winning Crown Of Gold is a hard knocking reliable sort, who will enjoy the test of stamina. Greg Cheyne rides the 5yo from a 1 draw, that won’t count for too much here. A winner of 4 of his 22 starts, the gelding hails from a prolific winning family, and inevitably finishes his race off well.
Silvano Pair
Brett Crawford saddles yet another son of Silvano, in Wavin’ Flag. The 4yo colt is out of the excellent racemare Garland and has won 2 of his 9 starts, both over 2400m. He wears blinkers for the second time and tries the 3200m for the first time in his short career.
While he should be eminently suited to the trip, he has been costly to follow and he needs to show that he has the heart to match the ability. He is not the kind of soldier we would choose to go to battle with. He may yet prove us wrong, though.
No Champion
The Mike Bass trained Latin Magic travels from his adoptive home in PE to contest this race. The son of Caesour is no champion, but jumps here with a handy galloping weight after showing the glimmer of a form return in a modest 2000m handicap at Fairview. Grant Van Niekerk rides him.
Van Reenen Coupling
Riaan Van Reenen saddles Barossa Valley and Posh Boy, who are both capable of upsetting on their day. The 8yo Posh Boy in particular is a resolute stayer who is ready to score a tenth career win.
Barossa Valley appeared to have enjoyed the winter racing surface and has lost form at his last two outings. It is worth noting that Karl Neisius takes the ride, and he must have some outside prospect based purely on the fact that the veteran is not looking for 3,2km riding fees at this stage of his long career.
Not Firing
Greg Ennion’s three time winner Nysean Bolt has gotten over his starting problems, but still continues to misfire, when it comes to putting it all in. He was one paced in the final 400m when running a 5,70 length fifth behind Hot Ticket last time. Stan Elley’s Texas Flood tries the 3200m for the first time, but appears to have lost his enthusiastic form of earlier.
Yogas Govender’s Look After Me stays well, but appears to have his soundess isues, and cannot be considered anything more than an optimistic longshot.The others look hard pressed to feature and these include the likes of the unsound but talented Paddy O’Reilly, Dubai Gina and Master Chi.
Spectacle
While the 3200m feature is always a crowd pleasing spectacle, fitness is a non negotiable factor and Ramsden’s treadmills will have been working overtime in the Summer Season build up.
Disco Al is a confident first selection to take his next step up the ladder and he is expected to hold on at the expense of his stable mate Crown of Gold and the consistent, but rather limited Wavin’ Flag.
