Dual Guinea’s winner Variety Club should be ideally suited by Greyville.
After the battle of the champions in Gauteng last weekend the main focus of attention now switches to what is sure to be another very exciting Natal season. Three Gr2 events top the bill at the home of the prestigious Durban July on Saturday, amongst them the Korea Racing Association Guineas, writes Steve Furnish.
A race for the connoisseur, this level weights contest for 3yo colts is usually won by a top sort.
Variety Club
Joint highest rated by the official handicapper are Variety Club and Jackson. A winner of seven of his twelve starts to date, the son of Var Variety Club won the Gr3 Matchem Stakes and Gr2 Selangor Cup in his first two starts this season, and then went on to complete a very impressive hat-trick when gaining his first Gr1 success in the Cape Guineas. He also looked to have done everything right in the prestigious Queen’s Plate in his next outing, but was then run out of it late by the very talented Gimmethegreenlight. He was reported as hanging when again run out of it late by the up and coming Jackson in the Gr1 Cape Derby in his final start of the Cape season, but he did then show his well being in no uncertain terms when landing the Gr3 Winter Guineas on his return from a three month break just two weeks ago. The second run after a rest brigade are likely to have a problem with Variety Club here, but he is sure to have come on for that latest run and the sharp Greyville circuit should suit his style of racing.
Jackson
Jackson
Likely to go off favourite here, the very exciting prospect Jackson has done very little wrong. Indeed, after running fifth when backed as if unbeatable (5/1 into 6/10) on debut, this son of Dynasty has won all four starts. In command of a very powerful turn of foot, Brett Crawford’s charge cruised in by four when winning his only previous outing over today’s distance and in his two most recent successes, in the Gr3 Politician Stakes and the Gr1 Cape Derby, he won going away. On the negative side, those latest two successes were both gained over further and this is Jackson’s first outing since winning the Derby at the end of January. He did have a grass gallop last week though and if in touch with Variety Club turning for home, as indeed he was in the Derby, he should confirm the form.
Divine Jet
Divine Jet
This is by no means a two horse race though as those who have been following the progress of Divine Jet will attest. He too has only been beaten once in five starts and interestingly, he was also backed as if the result was already known (15/10 into 15/20) when making his debut. This son of Jet Master won well in his first three outings and as a result of those efforts was sent off favourite when trying a mile for the first time in the Gr1 Cape Guineas. Dean Kannemeyer’s charge was a little slow into stride in that event though and never really got into the race. Although some will question his ability to see out today’s trip, the manner of his success prior to the Guineas when flying up late to win from well off the pace over 1400m would suggest that these concerns are unfounded. Divine Jet beat the Gr2 Merchants winner Shades Of Indigo in impressive fashion in his only subsequent outing over 1200m in January and one gets the impression that he too could yet turn out to be anything.
Unannounced
Unnanounced
In the process of winning his first six outings, the Snitzel colt Unannounced showed real guts and determination. Indeed, having looked as if he would be overhauled in three of those successes he dug deep and rallied gamely. His six wins were all gained over sprint distances and he did then taste defeat for the first time when racing over 1400m last time out. With the winner of that event Depardieu having previously beaten the subsequent Queen’s Plate winner Gimmethegreenlight though, Charley Laird’s charge might have bumped a future champion. Either way, Unannounced again found extra when headed by Depardieu and only beaten a length he did have the rest well beaten. Another gallant effort looks sure to be forthcoming from Unannounced, but he has drawn widest of the ten and perhaps significantly, Anton Marcus stays with Variety Club.
Northern Emperor
Northern Emperor
As well as Unannounced, trainer Charles Laird is also represented by the Holy Roman Emperor gelding Northern Emperor. Yet another to have won four of his five starts, Northern Emperor has won both outings over 1600m and is in fact unbeaten over today’s trip. He was facing his stiffest task to date when beaten after holding every chance over 1400m last time out though, and he is now taking on even stronger at level weights. Further improvement could still be forthcoming now back over 1600m, but this does look to be a very big ask.
Astro News
The most experienced runner in the field Astro News has performed with credit in several top feature races and fully deserved his win in the Gr3 Graham Beck Stakes over 1400m at Turffontein in November. He would certainly be thereabouts if reproducing his effort when a 1,95 length sixth to Igugu in the prestigious J&B Met, but he has only managed to find the winner’s enclosure twice in sixteen outings and he has been comfortably beaten by Variety Club on the last two occasions that they have met.
Golden Chateau
Golden Chateau
The only representative from the very powerful stable of globetrotter Mike De Kock is the Chateau Istana colt Golden Chateau. A bit of an enigma, Golden Chateau commands a very nice turn of foot on his day as he showed when winning the Gr2 Gauteng Guineas over today’s distance at Turffontein in his penultimate start. In comparison his effort in the Gr1 SA Classic over 1800m was disappointing last time out, but it is worth noting that he was encountering soft going for the first time in that event and he was also reported to be hanging. The weatherman is suggesting that the going is sure to be good here and now back over a mile, he could still improve.
Northern Conquest
Beaten just over three lengths by Variety Club in the Langerman at the back end of last season, Northern Conquest has shown considerable improvement in recent months. Indeed, Prior to being given a three month break at the end of January he had won three of his last four starts. He may well have needed the outing when only 3,75 lengths off the promising Depardieu in the Gr3 Byerley Turk Stakes last time out and although he is held by another in this race on that effort, he should nonetheless be thereabouts.
Territorial Waters
Tony Rivalland’s charge was beaten by a minimum of six lengths in each of his first four starts and at that stage of his career no one in their wildest dreams could have expected to see him competing here. He did then win his next two starts when returning from a break in January and he was far from disgraced when fourth to Depardieu in the Byerley Turk last time out. Further improvement looks sure to be forthcoming now back over a mile, but he has been thrown in at the deep end here.
Premium Wood
Another facing a very stiff task on exposed form is the Yogis Govender trained Premium Wood. This son of Fort Wood has progressed nicely since being given a gentle introduction to racing last August and he did gain back to back victories in very good fashion prior to a two month break in February. The latest of those successes came against much weaker in a MR72 Handicap though, and he was well beaten in a graduation event on his return to action over today’s distance at Clairwood last time out.
About The Pace
They usually set off at a good clip over 1600m at this circuit and with a fair number of the runners at their best racing up with, or close to the speed, at least a fair pace can be expected. Variety Club has to be right there when the race begins in earnest as he is the only one of the three principals to have raced since the Cape season and the circuit looks sure to suit. Jackson and Divine Jet do both have enormous potential though and one of them could well pick him off.
Dual Guinea’s winner Variety Club should be ideally suited by Greyville.
