Sean Tarry could cement his claims to another SA trainer’s championship title when he saddles a powerful three- pronged hand in today’s Gr1 Premiers Champion Stakes.
The top trainer last won this event with The Hangman in 2012.
Tarry has not had his best season ever but it’s been one of consistency and he could end it with a flourish on Saturday.
Eden Roc – steps up to the mile (Pic – Candiese Marnewick)
His Sporting Post top-rated Var colt Eden Roc looks the banker of the day and a serious contender for Equus honours. The Varsfontein-bred galloper is now unbeaten in three starts.
He has gone from strength to strength, proving his debut success over 1400m at Turffontein was no fluke when producing a turn of foot under Hong Kong bound champion jockey Lyle Hewitson – who retains the ride on Saturday – to impressively defeat highly rated Frosted Gold a lot easier than the 0.60-length margin suggests in the Gr1 Tsogo Sun Gold Medallion in May.
He then produced his most polished performance at Hollywoodbets Greyville earlier this month when cruising to victory in the Gr2 Golden Horseshoe.
Trainer Sean Tarry – another Gr1 success?
“He shows a lot at home and we know that he is a proper horse. He’s got a future and I think he is a horse we can be excited about.” That was a recent assessment of the lovely bay by his top trainer – and his charge looks to relish the step up to the mile.
His stablemate Putontheredlight has unfortunately drawn wide and does not boast the same credentials as Eden Roc. But he was a deceptively pressured 0,30 length runner-up in the Golden Horseshoe – where, granted he had the best of the draw- and is sure to improve over the extra.
The third of the Tarry trio, Rock The Globe was beaten 4,65 lengths in the Golden Horseshoe and looks outgunned.
A smart third in the Gr1 Gold Medallion, the consistent Wave was beaten a length by African Warrior in the KZN Yearling Sale Million. He has drawn very wide.
Fourth in the Gr1 Gold Medallion, Joey Soma’s Got The Greenlight has won 3 of his 6 starts and with a better draw would have been a serious runner in this field. He will enjoy the mile.
Nathan Kotzen’s Gatecrasher Stakes winner Kaydens Pride ran on late over the 1300m for fifth and under two lengths behind African Warrior in the sales race. Muzi Yeni is on record suggesting that this son of Gimmethegreenlight will be a serious contender when going this trip again.
Kaydens Pride wins the Gatecrasher – will enjoy the mile (Pic – Candiese Marnewick)
Master Of Illusion has been disappointing at his last two starts and needs to improve.
Loosen Your Tie showed pace when going fourth and 2,85 lengths back in the Golden Horseshoe.
Promiseofamaster travels from Gauteng but has pulled a wide draw of 14 and won’t find that an easy obstacle to overcome. He won well at his second start and was then beaten a shade over a length by Got The Greenlight – who he is marginally wider drawn, but 2kgs better with him here.
Special Blend won going away on his Scottsville 1200m debut but has failed to challenge at both his subsequent starts in the Gold Medallion and Gatecrasher Stakes. That said, his efforts were not disgraceful either.
Enjoy The View had drawn wide but gets the services of Richard Fourie. Unplaced when just under 3 lengths off Kaydens Pride in the Gatecrasher Stakes, he lost a shoe when running a smart third on the KZN Breeders raceday. He strips fit and deserves respect.
Cape raider Double Alliance (pic – Chase Liebenberg)
Double Alliance has his first run in KZN and comes off an unplaced effort when cramped and having to ease late and beaten 2,55 lengths in the Langerman at his last start. He should enjoy the mile and looked promising early on.
Liberty Hall was an impressive debut winner on the Hollywoodbets Greyville poly and was then stepped up to a mile at Scottsville when beaten 0,30 lengths by Alibi Guy. The latter is highly regarded and unbeaten in two starts.
Fools Gold caught the eye at his second start with a runaway maiden win beating Jalapeno over 1400m on the Hollywoodbets Greyville polytrack. He came in for some betting support on debut when beaten 3,30 lengths by Into The Future. A difficult customer to assess as he jumps straight into the big league.
Eden Roc looks the right one and ticks all the boxes to make it four from four.
