Five times SA champion trainer Geoff Woodruff goes for an extraordinary third successive Sansui Summer Cup success on Saturday. And he could well enjoy an informal dress rehearsal at Turffontein on today where he saddles a smart coupling in the day’s topliner.
Shadow Ofhis Smile will be ridden by Andrew Fortune
While only seven runners will line up in the R100 000 MR 97 Handicap mile over the inside track, the Place Accumulator looks trickier than it should be, with at least two horses needing to be included to ensure a safe passage.
Woodruff saddles course and distance winner Shadow Ofhis Smile, who comes off a ten week break and gets the plus factor of Andrew Fortune in the irons.
The son of Western Winter ran on steadily last time over shorter, and while outgunned in the feature season, his earlier form looked promising.
His stablemate Master ‘N Commander has excellent recent form to the likes of Summer Cup hopefuls ML Jet and The Captain’s Tune, and is yet to run a bad race, since shedding his maiden back in May.
He will be ridden by SA champion Gavin Lerena.
Weichong Marwing – rides Fah Fee
Weichong Marwing will jump alongside him on Ormond Ferraris’ fit-as-a-fiddle Fah Fee, who has won over the course and distance.
The son of Ideal World is a powerful forward galloper and he is threatening to register his fourth win.
Alec Laird’s Jolie Roger has won 2 of his 6 starts but looks held by Master ‘N Commander after finishing 2,75 lengths behind the Woodruff runner last time.
Jolie Roger was a course and distance winner in a lower handicap at his penultimate outing, and is known to be highly thought of by his experienced trainer.
It is quite remarkable that the former Duncan Howells runner Kings Archer is only a one-time winner in 15 starts. He in fact has not won for over a year.
The stakes placed son of AP Arrow is now with Stuart Pettigrew and was scratched from his engagement at Turffontein last Thursday.
Handily weighted off a galloping 52 kgs, he certainly warrants consideration in the hands of the underrated and in-form talent of Marco van Rensburg.
Sean Tarry’s The Hangman – good return sprint
The classy The Hangman carries topweight and impressed a fortnight ago when running on well in a prep sprint to be beaten only 2,25 lengths by the top-rate Brutal Force.
This will be more his game and his second run after a rest will be monitored with interest.
With the Vaal sand closed, the Leon Erasmus-trained Stavinsky looks to be pressured to win in these parts again, and he looks outclassed on this surface in this sort of company.
Fah Fee looks to be the danger to the Woodruff duo – particularly if he can get up front and dictate. The Hangman will enjoy the trip and should be running on strongly late.
