With only 10 days to go to the running of the R2 million Emperor’s Palace Ready To Run Cup over 1400 metres at Turffontein, the panel choosing the final field have released the latest log based on the 32 official entries received last Friday.
The log up until last week listed all those graduates from last year’s Ready To Run sale whose owners had “ticked the box” and who had run before. The log order is obviously subject to change between now and final declarations which take place on Tuesday 1st November. Only 16 horses can run and supplementary entries close this Friday 28th October.
The picking of the final field will be no easy task for the panel which this year is made up of Gold Circle’s Graeme Hawkins, Phumelela’s Patrick Davis and Senior NHRA handicapper Roger Smith.
Fillies enjoyed pride of finishing positions in the 2010 running with Hollywoodboulevard and the champion filly Igugu filling the exacta. It is worthwhile noting that at time of going to press, the top rated horse in the field is Sean Tarry’s filly, Extra Zero who has already had 6 runs and is Group 1 placed having run third to Princess Victoria, last season’s champion 2 year old filly in the Golden Slipper on Vodacom Durban July day. Sean also has Verrochio entered. He was a very impressive winner at Turffontein last week for his Congolese connections, the Papageorgiou’s who were on hand to witness their horse’s maiden win but he seems held by Red Barrel on their first meeting.
The maestro Mike De Kock is well represented again in this year’s race. Red Barrel, formerly named Ararat, won very well on debut and was not hard pressed to win his race at the Vaal over 1200 metres. He has a lot of scope and the form behind him is working out well. Frontino Gold continues to get better with each and every run and may prove to be the one to beat on the 5th November.
Port Elizabeth trainer Yvette Bremner has Blaze of Fire, a son of Victory Moon entered. He ran fifth in last weekend’s Racing Association Stakes at Fairview and was well beaten by Changingoftheguard. Cape Town’s hopes rest with Admiral John Peter, co-owned by Klawervlei Stud’s Grant Knowles and Markus Jooste whilst Kwazulu-Natal’s chief hope may well be Penhaligon from the Alyson Wright yard. The son of Daylami won his maiden in facile fashion over 1800 metres by 3.25 lengths.
It is all in the melting pot with horses clambering to qualify for the big prize on offer. Whatever transpires, the final field will be made up of horses to follow for the rest of the season.
The log as it currently stands with merit ratings included is :
1. Extra Zero 94
2. Red Barrel 80
3. Verrochio 86
4. Kinematic Countess 86
5. Admiral John Peter 81
6. Frontino Gold 86
7. Blaze Of Fire 88
8. Acapella 82
9. Dansili Express 84
10. Saucy Savannah 81
11. Sheztheclubqueen 84
12. Penhaligon 84
13. Americano 71
14. Solar Charged 81
15. Moet Magic 77
16. Tony’s Tipple 80
17. Countess Bacardi 79
18. Bonny Blue 78
19. Impartial Justice 75
20. Blazing Sunset 81
21. Abudhabi 52
22. Dea Dia 78
23. Ikati 77
24. King’s Castle –
25. Light Blue 80
26. Private Banking 71
27. Proud Moment 68
28. Secret Fort 78
29. She’s Got Gears 61
30. The Alamo –
31. The Club King –
32. Top Talent 74
