In Writing finished strongly when fifth in the Gr2 Gold Vase
Durbanville Cup (L) over 3200m at Kenilworth (old course) on Wednesday
The best of the action in midweek takes place on the old course at Kenilworth on Wednesday. The listed Durbanville Cup tops the bill and with most having no stamina doubts, the emphasis could well be on class, writes Steve Furnish.
Shouldering topweight is the costly to follow In Writing. Amazingly, Dean Kannemeyer’s charge is yet to find the winner’s enclosure in anything other than a plate race, but he has run some tremendous races in defeat, as his third placing in the Greyville 1900, and sixth in the J&B Met will attest. He was running on best of all when a 2,4 length fifth in last season’s Gr2 Gold Vase and a repeat of that effort would make him a very serious runner here.
Hospitality
A winner of the Chairman’s Handicap over today’s distance on the new course two seasons ago, the gutsy frontrunner Hospitality has made the frame in each of the last two runnings of this race. He’s in good form at the moment having only been picked off late by the improving Blake in the listed Woolavington Handicap over 2400m at Durbanville last time out, and the shorter run in here should suit his style of racing.
Double Bass
One of just two couplings in the race, trainer Mike Bass saddles both Another Giant and the 6yo Golden Parachute. The 5yo Another Giant is yet to win beyond 1800m, but having finished just one length behind In Writing in the 3000m Gold Vase, he does look likely to get the trip. This son of Giant’s Causeway is now 2kg worse off with In Writing here though, and with that one having been finishing the stronger, he should be held.
Golden Parachute finished runner up in the Gr2 Gold Vase back in 2010 and having won the listed Chairman’s Handicap today’s distance on the new course earlier this year, he clearly enjoys a test of stamina. Since landing the Chairmans back in February though, he’s only managed to make the frame once in ten starts.
Omaha Beach
Twice a winner of the J&B Reserve Stayers and placed in the Gold Cup and Gold Vase in both 2007 and 2008, Omaha Beach was a top class stayer earlier in his career. Now ten years of age though, Joey Ramsden’s charge has had two layoffs of over a year since then and one has to have serious doubts as to him still being able to make his presence felt in this league.
Hawk’s Eye
Amazingly, Joey Ramsden’s other runner Hawk’s Eye is only half the age of Omaha Beach. He’s yet to reach the same heights as his aging stable companion and although he does have some very good form to his name over shorter, he is yet to win beyond 2500m. He did have excuses when only eight lengths off the winner in the Gr1 Canon Gold Cup over today’s distance on July Day though, and if at his best here, he must have a shout.
Two Strikes
A son of Strike Smartly, Stephen Page’s charge showed tremendous improvement during the course of last season and when third to Vertical Takeoff in the Gr3 Lonsdale Stirrup Cup over 2400m at Greyville in June, he had four of today’s rivals behind him. He is yet to win beyond 2500m, but he was running on stoutly when only picked off in the dying strides in the Gr2 J&B Reserve Stayers in January, and having again finished strongly when fourth in the Woolavington on his return from a three month break last time out, he has to be a very serious runner here.
Posh Boy
Rarely out of the frame, Riaan Van Reenen’s charge is as consistent as they come. He’s usually seen out over 2400m and he has gained his last three wins over that distance. He was making steady headway on the only previous occasion in which he was tried over further though, and that was when sixth in this race last season. Posh Boy was running on strongly when only 2,2 lengths off Blake in the listed Woolavington Handicap last time out and on that alone he should be thereabouts here.
Mary Hinge
The only female in the race is the 4yo Second Empire filly Mary Hinge. Glen Kotzen’s charge has been going from strength to strength in recent months and appears to be getting better with each step up in distance. Mary Hinge does now take a big step up in class in her bid for the hat-trick, and she does of course now take on the boys. This is a handicap though and with further improvement likely to be forthcoming, she could be a surprise package.
Monseur Jay
After returning from a seventh month break in May, this 4yo son of Silvano came to hand quickly and when gaining the second of his two wins in a MR76 Handicap over 2400m, it looked as if he would go on to better things. Monseur Jay made Mary Hinge look like a Tortoise when flying up late in that event and although he has in comparison been disappointing in his three subsequent outings one does get the impression that we have by no means seen the best of him yet.
About The Pace
At his best when allowed to dictate, the only proven front runner in the field Hospitality should ensure that this is a test of stamina rather than a 500m sprint. My favourites to fight it out are In Writing and Two Strikes. There was nothing between them when they met in the Gold Vase in July, but In Writing was finishing much the stronger, and he is now 0,5kg better off at the weights. His well being has to be taken on trust having been not persevered with when coughing last time out, but if all is now well he has to rate the one to beat.
