Igugu - July winner and Horse of The Year makes her seasonal debut
Named after one of a herd of top class equine athletes to come out of his stable over the years, champion trainer Mike De Kock has been very successful in this race. Indeed, he’s won it in each of the last two seasons. The all conquering Igugu spearheads the assault this time around and it is more than likely her presence that has scared most of the original sixteen nominations away, writes Steve Furnish.
As well as becoming the first horse in history to win the Triple Tiara last season, Igugu also went on to win both the Gr1 Woolavington and prestigious Gr1 Durban July. It was a campaign never to be forgotten and news of her seasonal reappearance is sure to be greeted with great anticipation. Her latest three successes were all gained over further, and she will no doubts have her sights set on bigger prizes. She is clearly best in at the weights here though, and having already proven effective over today’s trip, this looks like the ideal race to get another exciting campaign underway.
Checcetti
Also representing the stable of globetrotter Mike De Kock is the Kahal filly Checcetti. She progressed quickly early last season and at that stage of her career was thought good enough to contest the Fillies Mile. She was reported as lame on the near hind after putting in two below par efforts following that event though, and in her two outings since returning from a seven month layoff, she has battled to make her presence felt.
Queen’s Bay
The Fort Wood mare Queen’s Bay finished down field in this race last season, but she did finish fifth back in 2009. Equally effective on sand, Michael Azzie’s charge has gained five of her eight wins over today’s distance. Her form in recent months has been very in and out, but she has twice run up to her rating in our book, most notably when winning the Gr3 Yellowwood Handicap over 1800m here in her penultimate start. She’s very well in at the weights with most here and if able to put it all together after finishing towards the rear in the Summer Cup last time out, she must have a shout.
Reconcile
A bit of an enigma, the Silvano mare Reconcile commands a nice turn of foot on her day and has threatened only to deceive on several occasions. She was finishing as well as anything when seventh beaten just 2,9 lengths in the prestigious Gr1 Paddock Stakes in January and a reproduction of that effort would certainly put her in the frame here. She was always in the rear when finishing fifteenth of sixteen in the Champions Cup in her final start of last season though and having again finished second last on her seasonal reappearance in the Yellowwood Handicap last time out, she is perhaps best just watched here.
Engagement
By far the highest rated of St John Gray’s two runners, Engagement has performed with credit since being stepped up in class towards the back end of last season and she did win particularly well when landing the listed Syringa Handicap over today’s distance on the inner track in May. She put in a tremendous effort when only beaten 2,5 lengths by the up and coming Welwitschia in the Gr3 Joburg Spring Challenge in her penultimate start and having only been run out of it late by the very talented Pierre Jourdan in the Gr2 Charity Mile over today’s trip last time out, she is clearly at the top of her game. Her stable is also in top form with Dancewiththedevil having just won the Summer Cup and any amount of further improvement would make her a serious runner here.
End Of Season
The Announce mare End Of Season has also been at the top of her game of late. Whereas Engagement is still improving though, End Of Season is pretty much in her place. She takes a big step up in class here and worst in at the weights to boot, she’ll do very well to make the frame.
Divine Right
One of two runners originally nominated from the stable of Alec Laird, the Dynasty filly Divine Right has been showing good improvement with each outing since returning from a break in April and races here on the back of a hat-trick. Further improvement looks sure to be forthcoming from Divine Right, but she is now taking a considerable jump up in class here and badly out at the weights, she clearly has a very stiff task.
About The Pace
With just seven runners going to post one would normally have concerns about the pace. Igugu has won from the front though and with her companion Checcetti often found at the front one feels sure that provisions will have been made. At the weights, the already legendary Igugu has the race at her mercy and has an excellent opportunity to start off what could be another history making season in good style.
