Sovereign Mint beat Sabadell last time – they clash again
The Riverton Stud-bred Judpot gelding Sovereign Mint could prove to be one of the Cape Premier Yearling Sale’s bargain buys at a cost of R100 000. He faces his next progress test on the Turffontein inside track today and is all set to register his fifth win from ten starts.
There are no feature races anywhere countrywide this weekend but the Turffontein Saturday show offers some nice quality.
Trainer Robbie Sage has done a first-class job of maintaining a winning momentum with the recently turned 4yo Sovereign Mint who goes for his fourth straight win as he steps up to a mile again on Saturday in the R100 000 MR 91 Handicap.
But he faces his stiffest test to date here and needs to show his colours and prove that he is equal to the test.
The course and distance winner showed guts and character when staying on strongly last time to beat the revitalised and once 101 rated Sabadell. He got five points for that effort.
He was confidently supported there and the winning margin of 0,75 lengths probably flattered the runner-up slightly – it will be interesting to see whether Sabadell maintains that improvement.
Charity Case
Geoff Woodruff saddles Sabadell
Sabadell is one of seven Woodruff Gr2 Charity Mile entries and the son of Var came off four modest sand efforts last time to run a fair race on the turf.
He is a kilo better off with the year younger Sovereign Mint and well drawn and fit, he could take him all the way to the wire.
Piere Strydom rides the lightly tried Morpheus, a 4yo Silvano gelding, who has won 2 of 5 starts.
He beat Silver Scooter after showing good pace following a ten week break in a lower rated handicap last time and but for one poor effort when refusing to gallop, has done little wrong.
On Your Bike
Silver Scooter is another 4yo son of Silvano and he bumps Morpheus again after going down a head to him over 150m shorter last time.
Silver Scooter is a half kilo better off with Strydom’s mount and was found to be coughing last time – he could be better than that.
Interestingly he has been twice beaten by Sovereign Mint and on his June course and distance quarter length beating, could challenge as he is some 2,5kgs better off with the Sage horse.
Silver Scooter looks a likely pacesetter in this field.
The Weiho Marwing-trained Illuminati comes off a twelve week break following his KZN Champions Season campaign, where he took on the best of his year at weight-for-age.
He will find these terms kinder after running fair, albeit well-beaten races, when 4,65 lengths behind Afrikaburn and 5,15 lengths off KZN champion 2yo, Harry’s Son.
He may need the run.
Half Mast
Flag Of France – place chance at best
Romeo Francis’ Flag Of France is consistent and steps up in class after two fair placed efforts.
One can only assume that Piere Strydom would have ridden him had he been rated with a serious winning chance, and on that basis he looks likely of earning place boodle at best.
He has not won since November 2013.
Louis Goosen’s gallant Mogok mare Moggytwoshoes carries joint topweight and takes on the boys after her unplaced effort behind shock winner Supreme Sunset in the Gr2 Joburg Spring Challenge.
She was slow away and never showed and even though this is a handicap as opposed to weight-for-age in that feature, she will have to up her game.
Lesser Hopes
The Mike Bass yard have been in top form in Gauteng, but it is difficult to fancy the essentially staying type, Global Express.
The son of Jet Master scored a shock Greyville 1400m polytrack win at his penultimate start but ran a shocker when 22 lengths behind Anger in the August Stakes.
The Western Winter gelding Zanzibar Man has lost his form and steps up in class after two very ordinary efforts.
